WACO, Texas – Hardin-Simmons' defensive coordinator
Craig Neece has been selected to participate in the American Football Coaches Association Leadership Institute, presented by Riddell InSite Analytics.
Neece was the lone Division III coach selected to participate in the institute.
The AFCA 35 Under 35 Coaches Leadership Institute is a prestigious program designed to identify and develop premier, future leaders in the football coaching profession. Selected participants are invited to attend the one-day institute that features a curriculum of interactive lectures focused on topics specifically tailored to emphasize leadership in the coaching profession, ethics, influential responsibilities, career progression, and family balance.
Members of the 2026 AFCA 35 Under 35 receive a stipend to assist with expenses incurred while attending the AFCA Convention. They will be published in the bi-monthly
AFCA Magazine,
AFCA Insider weekly email blast, and/or have their articles and videos added to the AFCA website. Members become a part of a prestigious network of rising coaches in the profession, along with many other great benefits.
To be eligible, applicants must be 35 years old or younger on January 1st of that year's convention and must be currently serving as a high school head coach, a two-year college full-time assistant or head coach, or an NAIA/NCAA (all divisions) full-time assistant or head coach. Applicants were required to submit a resume, five references, and a 1,600-word article or a 10-minute live instructional video on an offensive, defensive, special teams, or position-specific topic of the applicant's choosing back in the summer.
| Name |
School |
Position |
| Malcolm Agnew |
Stanford |
Running Backs |
| Joshua Atkinson |
Stephen F. Austin |
Wide Receivers |
| Kyle Barnes |
James Madison |
Nickel Backs |
| Joe Battaglia |
Lock Haven |
Head Coach |
| Nathan Brock |
Georgia Tech |
Tight End |
| Keelon Brookins |
Coastal Carolina |
Secondary |
| Will Bryant |
Texas State |
Tight Ends |
| Skyler Cassity |
North Texas |
Defensive Coordinator |
| Austin Davis |
West Georgia |
Offensive Coordinator |
| Micah Davis |
Copiah - Lincoln CC |
Head Coach |
| Sam Dunnam |
SMU |
Edge/OLB |
| Isaac Fruechte |
North Dakota |
Offensive Coordinator |
| Rob Greene |
Texas Tech |
Safeties |
| Logan Hall |
Bishop England HS |
Head Coach |
| Brandon Harris |
UCF |
Defensive Backs |
| Lorenzo Jackson |
Lamar |
Defensive Line |
| Mickey Jacobs |
Duquesne |
Defensive Coordinator |
| Christopher James |
Ole Miss |
Analyst |
| Jordy Joseph |
Houston |
Running Backs |
| Jared Keyte |
UMass |
Defensive Coordinator |
| Devin Klieman |
North Dakota State |
Safeties |
| Jalani Lord |
Lenoir-Rhyne |
Offensive Line |
| Jake Menage |
Washington State |
Wide Receivers |
| Pete Menage |
Washington State |
Safeties |
| Ghaali Muhammad-Lankford |
Vanderbilt |
Running Backs |
| Craig Neece |
Hardin-Simmons |
Defensive Coordinator |
| Ty Nichols |
North Carolina |
Outside Linebackers |
| Lee Pronschinske |
Southern Illinois |
Defensive Coordinator |
| Dyrell Roberts |
East Carolina |
Wide Receivers |
| Nico Rogers |
Virginia Union |
Defensive Backs |
| Lanear Sampson |
San Diego State |
Wide Receivers |
| Tyler Schovanec |
FAU |
Special Teams Coordinator |
| Billy Ray Stutzmann |
San Jose State |
Wide Receivers |
| Eric Terrazas |
Kansas |
QB Analyst |
| Rylan Wells |
Western Carolina |
Offensive Coordinator |
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