Being an assistant coach is a difficult task. The pay is not fantastic, the hours are grueling and there are a lot of long, hot summer days out on the practice field.
Over the next few weeks, I’m going to spotlight some of the great assistant coaches we have in our area and share their stories of why they do what they do. Today’s coach truly exemplifies the hard work and dedication it takes to be an assistant coach.
When I mention the names ‘Anthony Linnear’, ‘Quinton Scott’ and ‘Ben Rogers,’ anyone familiar with Fort Wayne’s high school football scene knows they were three of the best linebackers the city has ever seen. In fact, all three were named ‘Player of the Year’ by at least one media outlet in their respective eras.
What do these great players – and many others – have in common? They were all coached by Mr. Michael Neuman.
Neuman has been coaching in and around the city for three decades. Although he’s never been a coordinator or head coach, he has been a consistent voice at the linebacker position at multiple schools. Everyone who has had the opportunity to work with Neuman in any capacity has benefited from his teaching.
I’m proud to say I am one of those people who truly benefited from working with Coach Neuman.
Neuman, the son of an official, played for legendary football coach Buzz Doerffler and equally legendary baseball coach Chris Stavreti at Northrop High School. It wasn’t long after his playing days that Neuman found himself on the sidelines, getting some of his first coaching opportunities with Buzz’s younger brother, Dean, at his alma mater.
The rest, as they say, is history.
Neuman would go on to have coaching stints at Garrett, South Side, North Side and currently Leo. During his time, no one has produced more all-conference linebackers or excelled at coaching a particular position more. In the SAC alone, 16 all-conference players have come from his tutelage, including three Euell Wilson Award winners.
When I spoke with Neuman, he shared that his favorite memories are of being with teams that were true units. He fondly remembers the 1999 Northrop team that went on to win a regional title. He also recalls the 2005 South Side team, which many will remember had some of the most feared linebackers in the history of the conference, including Quentin Scott, the Dido twins, and Javon Reese. He also reminisces about players like Linnear and Tyson Whitner during his time with the Redskins, and more recently, how he helped guide Kam Zeisloft and the Leo defense to a regional championship last season.
Jason Doerffler, head coach at Leo, had this to say:
“Coach Neuman is a tremendous football coach. He is a great teacher at the linebacker position. He can break it down in a simple way for his players to understand, which allows them to play fast and free. No one does it better at his position. With his teaching background and experience, Coach Neuman really understands educational-based athletics and is a great leader and a positive influence on our players. He is consistent, dependable, and is the same guy every day. Overall, he’s just a great guy to have around your program.”
Coach Neuman is widely regarded as one of the best in the area, but he’s also a great teacher at Shawnee Middle School. As I mentioned before, Mike’s father, Tom, was a legendary official in the area, and I’m sure he would be incredibly proud of the way everyone in the city views his son.
John Zolnik, defensive coordinator at Leo, shared his thoughts:
“Coach Neuman possesses a unique combination of experience and expertise, making his knowledge of the game unmatched. He holds his linebackers to high standards, promoting accountability. His approach to drills and game preparation is consistently rigorous. Coach Neuman’s greatest strength lies in his ability to form lasting bonds with players, demonstrating a commitment that extends beyond the field, including attending their other sporting events. Having Coach Neuman next to me on the sidelines makes Friday nights special.”
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