Mike Neu

Mike Neu is an American football coach and former quarterback who has been the head coach at Ball State University since 2016. A former collegiate quarterback at Louisiana State University and professional player in the Arena Football League and NFL Europe, he transitioned to coaching with stops at LSU, the Toronto Argonauts, and multiple United Football League and Canadian Football League organizations before leading Ball State to a [Mid-American Conference] turnaround. His career intersects prominent programs and leagues including Southeastern Conference, Big Ten Conference, and postseason events such as the Bowl Championship Series era bowl games.

Early life and playing career

Born in Lake Charles, Louisiana, Neu attended LaGrange High School, where he played high school football under local coaches and earned regional recognition in Louisiana High School Athletic Association competition. He matriculated to Louisiana State University and competed for the LSU Tigers under head coaches associated with the Southeastern Conference schedule, appearing in games that included matchups with Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and other SEC rivals. During his collegiate tenure he participated in rivalry contests such as the Egg Bowl and earned experience that connected him to LSU programs that later produced NFL players and coaches affiliated with the National Football League.

Professional playing career

Following his collegiate career, Neu pursued professional opportunities including stints with AFL franchises and developmental leagues that formed part of the broader landscape alongside the NFL Europe and the Canadian Football League. He played quarterback in the Arena Football League and was affiliated with teams that competed in postseason championships analogous to the ArenaBowl. His professional journey included interactions with personnel and coaching staffs who had ties to Super Bowl–level organizations and personnel who moved between the NFL and alternative professional leagues. Neu's playing career gave him exposure to systems employed by teams like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New Orleans Saints, and other franchises that scouted talent from the arena and European circuits.

Coaching career

Neu began his coaching trajectory with positions that bridged player development and offensive coordination, including roles at LSU where he worked within a staff connected to coaches who advanced to National Football League posts. He served in offensive roles and as a quarterbacks coach, collaborating with staffs that included future NFL head coaches and coordinators who had coached at programs such as University of Alabama, University of Michigan, and Ohio State University. His coaching resume extended to professional teams in the Canadian Football League and the United Football League, placing him in contact with executives and tacticians from franchises like the Toronto Argonauts, Montreal Alouettes, and UFL clubs that included former NFL assistants. Neu's offensive philosophies were informed by schemes popularized by mentors linked to systems used in the Big Ten Conference, Pac-12 Conference, and American Athletic Conference contexts. He also worked on staffs that prepared teams for bowl games and playoff competitions across FBS.

Head coaching at Ball State

Appointed head coach at Ball State University in 2016, Neu led the Cardinals in the Mid-American Conference against opponents such as Northern Illinois, Toledo, Miami (OH), and Western Michigan. Under his leadership the program competed for MAC West Division positioning and participated in postseason bowl discussions that reference MAC tie-ins to events like the Raycom Media Camellia Bowl and other FBS bowls during the modern bowl era. Neu's tenure saw victories and strategic hires that connected Ball State to recruiting pipelines in regions including Texas, Florida, and Ohio State University’s recruiting footprint, while games were scheduled against Power Five opponents from the Big Ten Conference and Big 12 Conference. His staff development included assistants who later accepted roles with schools in conferences such as the Sun Belt Conference and Conference USA.

Personal life and legacy

Neu is married and active in community and alumni circles tied to LSU and Ball State University foundations; his family has participated in initiatives with regional organizations in Indiana and Louisiana. His professional network includes contemporaries who have progressed to roles within the National Football League, NCAA, and professional leagues like the Canadian Football League and Arena Football League. Neu's coaching journey is cited in discussions of program rebuilding at mid-major FBS institutions, comparisons with peers who led conference turnarounds in the Mid-American Conference, and the broader coaching tree associated with Southeastern Conference and Mid-American Conference figures. His legacy includes mentoring quarterbacks who pursued professional opportunities in the NFL and alternative leagues, contributing to coaching lineages that span collegiate and professional American football.

Category:1970 births Category:Living people Category:Ball State Cardinals football coaches Category:LSU Tigers football players