Custom Search SENECA, SC - Daryl C. "Brick" McNeill, Sr., a long-time collegiate football coach, died Saturday, October 19, 2013. He was 53.
The wake will be held at Gilbert Funeral Parlor in Seneca, SC on Thursday, October 24, beginning between 6-8 p.m. The family will also receive friends at that time. Funeral services will be Friday, October 25, at 1 p.m. at Saint Mark United Methodist Church, 616 Quincy Road, Seneca, SC. Burial will immediately follow at Evergreen Memorial Cemetery in Walhalla, SC. Gilbert Funeral Parlor of Seneca is in charge of arrangements.
McNeil
McNeill earned a bachelor’s and master’s in business education from South Carolina State University in 1982 and 1985, respectively. He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at his alma mater (1983-85). McNeill later served as a Bulldog Assistant Football Coach (1985-86) and returned to the school for a second stint as the Assistant Football Coach and Offensive Coordinator (1999-2002). He also spent two years as Assistant Head Football Coach and Offensive Coordinator at Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tenn. (1993-95), and had two stints at Savannah State University in Savannah, Ga. McNeill first served as the Assistant Head Football Coach (1988-93) and then as the Head Football Coach (1997-99). He also served as Assistant Varsity Football Coach and Head Junior Varsity Football Coach at Jonesboro High School (1986-88).
Most recently, McNeill served as the head football coach at Clark-Atlanta University (2010-2012). Prior to CAU, he served as the running backs coach at Saint Augustine’s College (University) in Raleigh, North Carolina (2009) and as the Associate Director of Athletics for External Operations and Head Football Coach at Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, N.C. (2004-08). The position at Johnson C. Smith was the second time he coached at the university; the first stint was also as Head Football Coach (1995-97). Under McNeill’s leadership, Johnson C. Smith graduated 70% of its student-athletes and had a retention rate of 64% (November 13, 2007 Diverse Issues in Higher Education Data Collection).
In 1996, McNeill led the Golden Bulls to a record of 7-3, the programs first winning season in 15 years, and was honored as the Black College Sports Co-Coach of the Year. In 2006, he led Johnson C. Smith to a 7-4 record and an appearance in the Pioneer Bowl. During his two years as Associate Head Coach at North Carolina A&T in Greensboro, N.C. (2003-04), the Aggies improved their offensive average from the 2002 season by 50-yards. Prior to his tenure at North Carolina A & T, McNeill spent a eight years at South Carolina State University in Orangeburg, South Carolina.
During a coaching career that spanned over 30 years, McNeill has coached three All-Americans (including NFL veteran Shannon Sharpe), five Daktronics All-Region team members, five Conference Players of the Year and 25 All-Conference players.
The Seneca native, who is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., leaves behind his mother, Eugenia McNeill, two children, Tiffany and Daryl, Jr; grandson Jayden, and son-in-law, Calvin. He also leaves two brothers Brian and his wife Cathy of Seneca, and Kenny (California).