University of Tennessee Athletics
Olympic Medalist David Neville Joins Tennessee Track & Field Staff
September 25, 2017 | Track & Field
Tennessee director of track & field and cross country Beth Alford-Sullivan bolsters coaching staff with 2008 Beijing Olympic gold and bronze medalist David Neville as assistant coach for sprints, hurdles and relays
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee director of track and field and cross country Beth Alford-Sullivan has announced the hiring of David Neville as Tennessee's new assistant coach for sprints, hurdles and relays.
Neville, who has served as the head coach of Taylor University's track and field program since 2014, will serve as one half of a coaching tandem in sprints, hurdles and relays with Tennessee assistant coach Tim Hall.
"We are absolutely thrilled to have David Neville join us here on Rocky Top," Alford-Sullivan said. "David brings a great amount experience from the collegiate to the international to the professional ranks and has also been instrumental in the rebirth of Taylor University's track and field program. We have worked hard to find the right person for this job and we feel that we have found a diamond in the rough and someone that will come in and join us on our continued drive to the top of podiums. We are excited that he will be starting on the first of October. His impact will be immediately felt."
In his three seasons leading the Taylor University track and field program, Neville produced 106 NAIA indoor and outdoor national championship qualifiers (47 men, 59 women). Under Neville, the Trojans broke 30 school records (11 on the men's side, 19 on the women's side) and earned 30 NAIA All-American honors (15 on men's side, 15 on women's side).
Neville is native of Merrillville, Indiana, and an Indiana University graduate. He enjoyed a distinguished professional track a career that was highlighted by a gold medal for the United States in the men's 4x400 and a bronze in the men's 400 meters at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Neville also won gold in the 400 meters at the 2008 Indoor USA Championships and earned bronze in the 400 meters in at the 2006 USA Championships and the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials.
Neville was a six-time Big Ten champion and a five-time NCAA All-American for Indiana from 2004 through 2006. He set Indiana program records for the 200 meters, 400 meters, 4x400 and distance medley relay. He was also the 2004 Big Ten Freshman of the Year.
Neville decided to forgo his senior season at Indiana and signed a professional contact with Team Nike. He completed coursework and earned a degree in music education from Indiana in 2007.
He has also worked as a personal trainer for world-class sprinters and has given individual lessons to high school athletes. He is a certified fitness trainer and member of the International Sports Sciences Association. Neville also served as the worship pastor and director of young adult ministries at Santa Clarita Christian Fellowship Church.
Neville and his wife, Arial, are parents to a three-year old daughter named Acaia and a newborn son named David.
