Wes Neighbors was named the Bulls’ safeties coach on Jan. 10, 2020, completing head coach Jeff Scott’s first primary coaching staff at USF.
Neighbors came to USF after two successful seasons coaching safeties at FAU and will reunite with Bulls’ defensive coordinator Glenn Spencer, having worked with Spencer at FAU last year as the Owls posted an 11-3 record and Conference USA Championship and Boca Raton Bowl victories.
“Wes had great success at FAU the last two seasons and brings tremendous experience as both a player and staff member on Alabama teams that won five national championships,” Scott said. “We are excited to welcome Wes to USF and complete a very strong primary staff that is hard at work completing our 2020 signing class and preparing for an exciting 2020 season.”
In 2019, the Owls set a program record with 21 interceptions and led the nation in total takeaways (33), interceptions (22) and turnover margin (+21). FAU improved more than 40 spots in 10 defensive national rankings, including total defense (88th allowing 427.4 ypg to 48th allowing 370.3 ypg) and scoring defense (92nd allowing 31.8 ppg, to 33rd allowing 22.3 ppg). Safeties Da’Von Brown, third on the team with 69 tackles, and Zyon Gilbert, two interceptions, 44 stops and a team high eight pass breakups, were key contributors.
In his first season at FAU (2018), Neighbors’ safety unit was led by senior Jalen Young, a Second Team All-C-USA selection that ended his career tied among all active FBS players with 13 interceptions and finished second on the team with 59 tackles.
Prior to FAU, Neighbors played and served on staffs at Alabama during a period in which the Crimson Tide won five national championships (2009, 2011, 2012, 2015 & 2017). His Tide roots include his brother, Carson, who also served as a member of the strength and conditioning staff, and his grandfather, who was recruited to play for the Tide by Howard Schnellenberger when he served as the Tide’s offensive coordinator in the early 1960s.
Neighbors began his coaching career as an Alabama student assistant (2011-12), concentrating his efforts with the special teams and running scout practice periods. The following year (2012-13), he assumed the role of off-field graduate assistant where he continued to work with special teams. In 2013-14, Neighbors moved to defensive intern where he worked with the outside linebackers, organized opponent data and led the scout team unit for a 2013 defense that was ranked No. 5 nationally.
He then served one year as a defensive graduate assistant (2014-15). In that role, he assisted the defensive coordinator, worked with the linebackers and helped to develop Butkus Award winner and All-American Reuben Foster and All-American Reggie Ragland.
In spring of 2015, he moved into a defensive analyst position. During his time as a staff member at Alabama, the Tide held no lower than a No. 3 national ranking (2015) and garnered the No. 2 spot in 2016 and 2017. Neighbors was a part of teams that played in the Peach and Cotton Bowls, won two SEC Championships and claimed the 2015 National Championship.
Neighbors played safety and was member of special teams units for the Crimson Tide from 2008-11. He was a member of two national championship teams, as the Tide claimed BCS titles in 2009 and 2011.
He graduated from Alabama with honors, in 2011, earning a bachelor’s degree in commerce and business administration. He continued his education in Tuscaloosa earning a Master of Science degree in marketing in 2012. Neighbors was a member of the SEC Honor Roll from 2008-11 and was a Dean’s List member in 2008. He is a member of the Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity.
