The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
John Neal Leaves UAB Football Staff
1/24/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Jan. 24, 2003
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ----- UAB pass defense coordinator and secondary coach John Neal, who has been a member of the Blazer staff the past eight years, has been named defensive backs coach at the University of Oregon.
The 46-year-old Neal, a native of northern California (Mountain View), coached the UAB defensive backs during his tenure in Birmingham and also assumed duties as pass defense coordinator the past two seasons.
Neal said it was a combination of an excellent opportunity with the Ducks as well as the lure of returning to closer to his roots that made the Oregon position attractive.
"This is not about just going to a great football program in the University of Oregon, it is also an opportunity for myself and my family to move back closer to home," said Neal, a 1980 graduate of Brigham Young University "My wife and I are looking forward to re-kindling some family relationships."
At the same time, the decision to leave UAB was not an easy one. "These eight years have been as good as any I have spent anywhere," Neal said. "I have been a part of building the program from scratch and have been fortunate to have been around great people. My family and I love UAB, Birmingham and the South. I appreciate everything Watson Brown has done for me and my family."
Neal has played a key role in the development of the Blazer defense and coached current NFL defensive backs Izell Reese (Denver), Dainon Sidney (Tennessee) and Rodregis Brooks (Indianapolis).
"John has meant an awful to our program," said Brown, "and he will be missed. He has been a major part of this program and the building process. John has been a great friend and football coach."
Neal and his wife, Jan, are the parents of one son, Casey (24), as well as daughters Caitlin (21) and Christin (17).
