Introduction
Michael David Neu (born December 29, 1970) is and American football coach and former quarterback, who is the current head football coach of the Ball State Cardinals. He played college football at Ball State for Paul Schudel from 1990 to 1993 and played in the Canadian Football League (CFL) for one season and the Arena Football League (AFL) for 2 seasons from 1995 to 1997. He then served as the head coach of the af2's Augusta Stallions (2000), the AFL's Carolina Cobras (2001–2002) and the New Orleans VooDoo (2004–2008). In 2016, Neu returned to his alma mater, Ball State.
Neu was born in Indianapolis, Indiana. He attended high school in Indianapolis at Perry Meridian High School. In 1990, Neu enrolled at Ball State University and played quarterback for the Cardinals, starting for four seasons. As a senior in 1993, he led Ball State to the Mid-American Conference (MAC) championship, was named the MAC MVP and Offensive Player of the Year.
In 1994, before pursuing a professional career, Neu would become a graduate assistant for Ball State. He would sign with the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League, where he served as a backup to Doug Flutie in 1995. In 1996, Neu signed with the Orlando Predators of the Arena Football League, where he spent the season as a backup to Pat O'Hara. He appeared in a single game for the Predators, throwing and rushing for touchdowns. The following year he signed with the Nashville Kats, but never appeared in a single game.
From 1998 to 1999, he would remain with the Kats, but in the roles of quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator respectfully. In 2000, he turned to the af2 as the head coach of the Augusta Stallions. Neu returned to the AFL ranks in 2001 as the offensive coordinator for the Carolina Cobras. When head coach Doug Kay resigned suddenly during the season, Neu was elevated to head coach of the Cobras, leading them to a Wild Card round loss to the Indiana Firebirds. After having the interim tag removed, Neu led the Cobras to the AFL Semifinals, where they lost to AFL runner-up, Arizona Rattlers. After taking a year off, Neu was named the head coach of the New Orleans VooDoo and led them to a 2004 South Division Title. During the 2006 AFL season, while the VooDoo suspended operations for the season, he worked as a professional scout for the National Football League's New Orleans Saints.
In 2014, Neu left his job as quarterbacks coach with the Tulane Green Wave football team, to take the same position with the Saints.
Early life
Born in Indianapolis, Indiana on December 29, 1970, Neu is the son of Gwyndoline and Ed Neu. He attended Perry Meridian High School in Indianapolis, where was the starting quarterback. He was named All-State as a senior in 1989. Neu grew up a fan of the University of Notre Dame.
Head coaching record
College
| Year | Team | Overall | Conference | Standing | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ball State Cardinals (Mid-American Conference) | |||||||||
| 2016 | Ball State | 4–8 | 1–7 | 6th | |||||
| 2017 | Ball State | 2–10 | 0–8 | 6th | |||||
| 2018 | Ball State | 4–8 | 3–5 | 5th | |||||
| 2019 | Ball State | 5–7 | 4–4 | T–3rd | |||||
| Ball State: | 15–33 | 8–24 | |||||||
| Total: | 15–33 | ||||||||
Professional
| Team | Year | Regular Season | Post Season | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Won | Lost | Ties | Win % | Finish | Won | Lost | Win % | Result | ||
| AUG | 2000 | 13 | 3 | 0 | .813 | 1st in AF2 American Conference | 1 | 1 | .500 | |
| AUG Total | 13 | 3 | 0 | .813 | 1 | 1 | .500 | – | ||
| AF2 Total | 13 | 3 | 0 | .813 | 1 | 1 | .500 | – | ||
| CAR | 2001 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .000 | 3rd in AFL Eastern Division | 0 | 1 | .000 | |
| CAR | 2002 | 6 | 8 | 0 | .429 | 2nd in AFL Southern Division | 1 | 1 | .500 | |
| CAR Total | 6 | 9 | 0 | .400 | 1 | 2 | .333 | – | ||
| NO | 2004 | 11 | 5 | 0 | .688 | 1st in AFL Southern Division | 0 | 1 | .000 | |
| NO | 2005 | 9 | 7 | 0 | .562 | 4th in AFL Southern Division | – | – | – | – |
| NO | 2007 | 5 | 11 | 0 | .313 | 4th in AFL Southern Division | – | – | – | – |
| NO | 2008 | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | T-3rd in AFL Southern Division | – | – | – | – |
| NO Total | 33 | 31 | 0 | .516 | 0 | 1 | .000 | – | ||
| AFL Total | 39 | 40 | 0 | .494 | 1 | 3 | .250 | – | ||
| Total | 52 | 43 | 0 | .547 | 2 | 4 | .333 | – | ||
Personal
Neu has 3 children; Graycen, Carson, and Chase.