Thomas More University held a press conference on May 2, 2024 to announce the hiring of Brian Neal as head women’s basketball coach. Coach Neal returns to Thomas More after one year at Southeastern University, and having previously served as an assistant coach under former head coach Jeff Hans. In the 2022-23 season, Neal helped lead the Saints to an overall 31-4 record and the 2023 NAIA National Championship game. Previously, Neal also served as head coach for Thomas More for seven seasons (2004-2011), recording an impressive overall record of 171-3 (.847) with seven consecutive winning seasons, six consecutive 20 win seasons, five consecutive PAC Championships, and five straight NCAA DIII National Tournament appearances. Coach Neal reflects on his return to Saints Athletics and taking the reins of the Women’s Basketball program amid the University’s transition to the NCAA Division II.

KG: We’re back with another edition of Saints Spotlight. I’m joined by Coach Brian Neal of the women’s basketball team. Coach, welcome back! What has it been like coming back to Thomas More and Saints Athletics?

BN: It’s been great. Thomas More has a special place in my heart. I coached here for seven years previously. I basically raised four of my children in that gym, it seems like, over the years. It’s also been a very welcoming, comfortable place. Thomas More, I don’t know whoever you are, you come to campus, you’ll feel comfortable. So to me, it just feels like being home.

KG: Right now is an exciting time for the Saints as we begin our third year as provisional members of the NCAA Division II. What are you most looking forward to in this upcoming season of competition in the GMAC?

BN: Well, in all my years of coaching, I think I probably enjoyed the Division II years the best, for a couple reasons. I think it’s really neat for the community, because it allows very talented young ladies, or athletes, to stay home and not have to go far away — and play for a winning program. So I just love that challenge, to me, Division II, realistically, you have a chance to win a championship. In Division I, that’s only for a very few schools. So I think you can set your goals on competing nationally in Division II.

KG: You have experience coaching at a number of programs both here in Greater Cincinnati and most recently at Southeastern University in Florida. How do you bring those experiences at other programs to Thomas More and how does that influence how you approach coaching here?

BN: Well, it’s been an interesting ride. And I like to think that I took a little bit of information or learning from every place that I’ve been. And I’ve coached Division I, II and III, which is a little bit unusual. So, we’ve had some great years over the years, and we’ve had some not so great years. But I think I’ve probably learned the most from the adversity. So I think what I’ve learned is – you’ve just got to keep taking the next step forward. You’re going to take some bumps, but you’ve just got to get up and keep moving. And I think, in general, it’s made me a better teacher of the sport. It’s also probably made me build better relationships with our student-athletes and with our staff.

KG: This program is nationally recognized here at Thomas More. How will you be setting the bar here as we enter a new era for Saints Basketball?

BN: Well, I think the bar, all those young ladies that are student-athletes here, they came because of where the program is and where that bar is. So, they know coming in what the expectations are. I don’t think I really have to set that per se, they see the banners on the wall and they know. You walk through our locker room and you know that you’ve taken on a huge undertaking. And so, it’s just my job to take those pieces now and kind of put them together to where they are probably stronger than if they were by themselves.

KG: Thank you – and that’s it for our Saints Spotlight. You can find all of our Saints Spotlights on our YouTube channel, @ThomasMoreKY

To read the full press release announcing the hiring of Coach Brian Neal, click HERE.