Patrick Neely Inducted into National High School Athletic Coaches Association (NHSACA) Hall of Fame

Celebrating a Remarkable Coaching Career

The National High School Athletic Coaches Association (NHSACA) welcomes a distinguished addition to its ranks, as Coach Pat Neely from the Cowboy state is inducted into the Hall of Fame. Neely's remarkable coaching journey, deeply rooted in Wyoming, serves as a testament to his unwavering dedication to high school sports and his commitment to nurturing athletes both on and off the field.

Neely, alongside his wife Stephanie and their two sons, Cooper and Jaxson, stands as a paragon of coaching excellence. His journey commenced with a bachelor's degree from the University of Wyoming and further enriched with a master's degree from South Dakota State. His career has spanned a remarkable 36 years, encompassing coaching stints at multiple Wyoming schools, each with fewer than 200 students.

The heart of Neely's legacy resides in his transformational coaching approach. Notably, he led Greybull and Wright to their first-ever state tournament championships, a testament to his ability to turn underdog narratives into triumphs. His teams have triumphed in three district tourney championships and secured six regular season conference championships. He navigated his teams through the intricate dance of competition against schools with student enrollments as large as 2800, a feat that showcases his strategic acumen.

But Neely's coaching journey extends beyond the basketball court. He's also left an indelible mark as a track and field coach, with girls' teams securing three conference titles and finishing third in the state meet twice. His legacy has been acknowledged through accolades such as being named Wyoming 2A Coach of the Year three times, earning the Wyoming Coaches Association Hall of Fame induction, and being a finalist for National Coach of the Year honors.

Looking back on his coaching odyssey, Neely reflects on the pivotal moments that shaped his philosophy. Growing up in a family of six, with four older brothers, sports were a constant companion. His grandfather's legacy as a basketball coach instilled in him a coaching heritage, and his early opportunity to assist the Laramie High School Girls Basketball team laid the foundation for his coaching journey. Neely's thirst for knowledge led him to work at camps across the nation, learning under luminaries like Roy Williams, Mike Krzyzewski, and Jay Wright. Their influence empowered him to bring a wealth of expertise to his small-town coaching endeavors.

Through the highs and lows of his career, Neely's coaching philosophy has been defined by the impact he's had on his athletes. One memorable instance occurred in the 1990s when a student-athlete faced a meltdown and quit. A team decision to unanimously bring him back displayed Neely's commitment to individual growth within a team dynamic. This act of support transformed the athlete's life, with a heartfelt confession at graduation underscoring the profound influence of being part of the team.

Neely's ability to empower student-athletes extends to guiding them through adversity. A 2020 regional tournament saw his young team down 38-2 in the first quarter, facing a daunting deficit. Neely's leadership fostered a culture of resilience, motivating the team to commit to off-season training and self-improvement. The subsequent years saw remarkable growth, as the team progressed from a single-win season to securing state trophies, embodying the spirit of "Panther Relevance" and the quote, "Life is a Journey and Not a Destination."

As Neely stands among the NHSACA's esteemed inductees, his legacy is poised to impact generations. A true coaching luminary, he envisions a legacy where former players return to testify to the lasting impact of lessons learned both on and off the court. Neely's advice to aspiring coaches echoes the humility and dedication he's upheld throughout his journey—prioritize the growth of individuals and the group over personal ego, and instill discipline as a means of teaching, not punishing.

With his induction, Coach Pat Neely's legacy now takes its rightful place among the revered names that have shaped high school sports coaching across the nation. Aspiring coaches, athletes, and communities alike can draw inspiration from his profound dedication, unwavering principles, and remarkable impact.