Bishop Neal - Football Coach - University of Akron Athletics

Bishop Neal

Title:
Assistant Coach - Safeties
Email:
bneal@uakron.edu

Bishop Neal joins the Zips ahead of the 2025 season.

Neal joins the Zips after three seasons at Monmouth.

The 2023 season saw Neal oversee a secondary unit that featured a pair of All-CAA caliber student-athletes in Eddie Morales III and Mike Reid. Morales III was named All-CAA Honorable Mention and was recognized by Phil Steele/Draft Scout with a spot on its All-CAA Second Team. Reid picked up a All-CAA Third Team nod from Phil Steele/Draft Scout. Morales III led the team and set a career high with four interceptions, while Reid paced the defensive unit with eight pass breakups, giving him 27 for his career, a number that ranks fourth in program history.

Neal mentored Reid during the 2022 season as the junior corner earned Third Team All-CAA honors after finishing the year with 12 passes defended, 52 tackles, two forced fumbles and an interception. Reid's 11 pass breakups were the fifth most in the NCAA.

“We are excited to have Bishop join our coaching staff,” said Callahan at the time of his hiring. “I have been impressed by the success that he has achieved, and I have enjoyed watching his defensive units perform. We fell that Bishop is a great fit for our team and staff, and that he will continue the development of our defensive secondary.”

Neal came to Monmouth from Duquesne University where he served as defensive backs coach and pass game coordinator for the 2021 season. While with the Dukes he prepared the pass game scouting report and recruited areas that Monmouth has traditionally had pipelines from including Philadelphia and the DMV.

He spent from 2016 to 2020 at his alma mater, Saint Francis University first as Defensive Backs Coach before earning the role of Defensive Coordinator prior to the 2019 season. As a player and a coach, Neal was involved in the most successful run in SFPA history, one which saw the Red Flash make its first appearance in the NCAA playoffs in 2016. Neal’s secondary was a big reason why SFU boasted one of the top defenses in the FCS that year as the Red Flash ranked 11th in the nation in scoring defense (19.8 ppg), 15th in total defense (320.8 ypg) and 18th in rushing defense. In his role as defensive coordinator Neal led the Red Flash to one of the top defenses in the Northeast Conference and the FCS. In his first season SFU held five opponents under 20 points for the season and was particularly impressive on third down, ranking second in FCS in 3rd down defense % (29.5%). Neal's defense adopted an aggressive style, leading the NEC and ranking seventh in FCS in tackles for loss (8.4 per game). The Red Flash also ranked second in the NEC with 34 sacks, had the 9th best pass defense efficiency in all of FCS and their run defense ranked 15th in the nation (115.8 ypg).

Neal has had three players earn contracts in the NFL, including former All-American safety Lorenzo Jerome who was invited to play in both the Senior Bowl and NFLPA Bowl. In total, he has coached five players to All-American honors in the last five seasons. During his time in Loretto, Neal also served as the recruiting coordinator and the director of alumni relations. In November of 2020 he was named as the Diversity and Inclusion Co-Chair of SFPA, where he led training and professional development and creating curriculum designed on focusing in DEI initiatives.

He is a 2015 graduate of Saint Francis, where he starred at linebacker and safety for the Red Flash. A three-year starter for SFPA, he was a two-time all-league selection and recorded 271 tackles in 43 career games with 30 tackles for a loss and six sacks. Neal earned his Master’s degree in education.