BALTIMORE – UMBC head coach
Jim Ferry has announced the addition of Sean Neal as assistant coach.
Neal spent nine seasons on staff at St. Bonaventure and served as Associate Head Coach for the past four years. The Bonnies won 20 or more games in three out of the past five seasons with Neal on the sidelines. In the 2020-21 season, St. Bonaventure won both the Atlantic 10 Regular Season Championship and the Atlantic 10 Tournament Championship, the first time the program has won both titles in school history.
"We are extremely fortunate and excited to welcome a coach of Sean's caliber to our staff this summer," said Ferry. "I have always admired how Mark Schmidt and Sean built and led the St. Bonaventure program. Their work made St. Bonaventure one of the premier mid-major programs in the country, and Sean played a crucial role in that success. With his experience and knowledge, Sean will help us continue to compete for championships at UMBC."
In addition to the NCAA Tournament appearance in 2021, the Bonnies advanced to the NIT Final Four in 2022 while being ranked as high as No. 15 in the country-the first Top 25 ranking in 40 years. Also, during the 2021-22 season, St. Bonaventure collected six power conference victories, including at Virginia, at Oklahoma and at Colorado, along with winning the prestigious Charleston Classic Championship on their way to 23 wins overall.
In the 2023-24 season, they reached 20 victories and an Atlantic 10 semifinal appearance. After bringing in 10 new players from the transfer portal and junior college ranks in the '24-25 season, St. Bonaventure notched 22 victories and received an invitation to the NIT.
In recognition of his efforts as a coach and recruiter, especially in the transfer portal era, Neal was recognized as one of the top assistant coaches in the country by Silver Waves Media at the 2025 Final Four in San Antonio, Texas.
Prior to St. Bonaventure, Neal worked for Big 5 Hall of Famer Dr. John Giannini at La Salle University. During his time on the coaching staff, the Explorers reached two postseasons, including the 2013 NCAA Tournament Sweet 16, while also winning the 2013 Philadelphia Big 5 Championship, given to the best college team in Philadelphia. The Explorers finished the season ranked #24 in the country with wins over Villanova, Butler, Kansas State, and Ole Miss.
The Explorers also won 21 games in the 2011-2012 season and made an appearance in the NIT.
To begin his coaching career, Neal worked for Rob Kennedy at The Hoop Group in Neptune, NJ, directly after his college graduation. The Hoop Group was the largest basketball company on the East Coast at the time. Neal assisted in grassroots tournaments and recruiting for the Hoop Group Elite camp.
As a player, Neal played for LaSalle University from 2003-2007. In the 2005-2006 season, Neal played point guard on the team that finished third in the Atlantic 10, the highest finish in school history.
The Springfield, Mass native enjoyed a standout high school career at Springfield Cathedral High School, where he was the Western Massachusetts Player of the Year and the Massachusetts Coaches Association Regional Player of the Year on his way to earning a Division I scholarship to La Salle University.
Neal received his bachelor's degree in political science in 2007 and his MBA in 2011 from La Salle University. He and his wife, Kara, Doctor of Physical Therapy, have three daughters: Giuliana, Mackenzie, and Averie.
