David Neil has been a member of the Saint Vincent coaching staff since the 2022 season, and will serve as offensive line coach for the 2024 campaign.
"Coach Neil has brought a wealth of knowledge and experience to our program," said head coach Aaron Smetanka. "His commitment to developing our student-athletes both on and off the field has been invaluable. We are thrilled to see him step into this expanded role and continue to contribute to the success of Saint Vincent College football."
Neil brings with him an extensive and storied career in both education and coaching, with decades of experience across multiple states.
Most recently, Neil served as a kindergarten classroom assistant and care reader at the Derry Area School District in Pennsylvania, where he worked in Maggi Wnek's classroom. His coaching resume is highlighted by his time at Essex Westford School District in Essex Junction, Vermont, where he led the Essex High School Football Hornets to three state championships (1992, 2009, 2021) and several runner-up finishes. In addition to his football success, Neil contributed significantly to the Essex High Schooll lacrosse program and served as the recreation, Parks, and adult education director for the Essex Junction School District.
Before his tenure at Essex, Neil held key roles in various Pennsylvania and Vermont school districts. He was the community center director and assistant football coach at Danville School District, as well as the community recreation director and assistant football coach at Woodstock Union High School. His coaching expertise also extended to junior high and junior varsity lacrosse.
Neil's career began at Derry Area School District, where he worked as the recreation, intramural, and adult education director and junior high basketball coach. He also gained experience as a recreation program specialist for the city of Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania.
A graduate of Trinity College of Vermont, Neil earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with highest honors and a 4.0 GPA. He also holds a Bachelor of Science in Recreation and Parks from Pennsylvania State University, where he played basketball during his freshman year at Penn State-Mont Alto.
Neil's involvement in professional activities includes serving as an assistant coach for the North Team in the 1997 and 2016 Vermont North/South All-Star Game and the Vermont team in the Vermont/New Hampshire Shrine Maple Sugar Bowl in 1998, 2003, and 2010.
His dedication to lacrosse was recognized with his induction into the USA Lacrosse Vermont Chapter Hall of Fame for Service to the Game. Neil also officiated high school and college women's basketball and high school men's lacrosse with the Vermont Officials Association. He was named Coach of the Year by the Positive Youth Sports Alliance, Essex, Vermont Chapter, in 2011, and received the Theresa A. Brungard Professional of the Year Award from the Vermont Recreation and Parks Association in 1995.
