Neece is in his second season as the defensive coordinator for the Cowboys.He will also coach the safeties.
His first season as a coordinator was a huge success as the Cowboys were the top scoring and total yardage defense in the conference. The Cowboys allowed just 17.5 points per game and 286.3 yards per game.
His defense was led by All-American Charlie Patterson last season. Patterson, who transferred to HSU from Illinois College where Neece was his previous coordinator, and was the ASC defensive player of the year and a first-team All-American by D3football.com, the AFCA, Associated Press and Walter Camp. He was also the region's defensive player of the year and a Campbell Trophy and Cliff Harris Award semifinalist.
HSU had 12 All-ASC selections on the defensive side of the ball.
He came to HSU from Illinois College where he had a standout tenure as the defensive coordinator.
In 2023, his defense ranked in the top 20 in every statistical category. They were first nationally in tackles for loss, second in total yards per play and defensive touchdowns, third in average yards per game, total defense, third-down percentage and team defensive efficiency, fourth in interceptions, fifth in pass yards per attempt, eighth in rushing defense and 10th in total turnovers.
In 2022, they were first nationally in opponent pass yards allowed, second in pass yards per attempt, second in defensive interceptions returned for touchdown, third in defensive efficiency, fourth in tackles for loss, ninth in defensive touchdowns, 10th in third-down percentage.
He has mentored 17 all-conference players, five all-region selections, one All-American, two defensive conference players of the year and one Cliff Harris Award Nominee. He has coached 6 NFL players, three of which were drafted.
Neece has coached at Illinois College, the University of Toledo, Butler University, Missouri Baptist and MacMurray College.
He played collegiately at DePauw University from 2011 to 2014 and also played in the Canadian Football League and the Arena Football League.
A native of St. Louis, he has a bacherlor's degree in kinesiology from DePauw and a master's in sports management from Missouri Baptist.
He wife Katie were married in 2019 and have a daughter, Hadley, and a son, Carson.
