Bio

Eric Neel became the third fast-pitch softball coach in Mississippi Gulf Coast in July 2019, and still hasn't lost a game after winning all 14 in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. He brought a championship resume to Ross-Smith Field. His high school squads won six state championships in Mississippi, and he also has an NJCAA Region 17 championship to his credit at the collegiate level.

Neel is from Stone County, and he arrives back at Perkinston after a 28-14 season during his first season at East Central Community College, where he took a freshman-laden Warriors squad to the MACJC Tournament.

He started his head coaching career at East Central High School, where his teams went to three consecutive Class 4A state championship series between 2007-2009, winning twice. He was the Sun Herald Softball Coach of the Year in both those seasons.

Neel spent the next four years at Wayne County High School, and the War Eagles won three straight Class 5A state championships starting in 2010. He was the Clarion-Ledger’s Softball Coach of the Year in 2010 and the Mississippi Association of Coaches Fast-Pitch Softball Coach of the Year in 2012.

He also coached at Quitman High School, Biloxi High School and Lake High School. At Lake, the Hornets won the North State fast-pitch title for the first time, advancing to the Class 4A state championship series.

Neel’s two previous collegiate coaching stints before East Central were at Darton State College in Georgia and at Baton Rouge. Darton won the region championship and advanced to the NJCAA Division I Softball National Championship in 2014. He was named Region 17 Coach of the Year after compiling a 46-12 record, and he coached at Baton Rouge in 2015-16.

Neel has also been an assistant football coach for 11 years total at East Central, Wayne County, Petal, Biloxi and Meridian.

His career record is 300-146 in 12 seasons.

Neel earned his bachelor’s degree in special education from The University of Southern Miss and a master’s in secondary education from William Carey.

Neel and his wife Lindsey, who is also an educator, have seven children: Christian, 20; Cole, 14; Ava, 12; Easton, 8; Vallen, 7; Catie, 6; and Cash, 1.