Brent McNeil is entering his first season as the associate head coach of the Storm baseball program in 2026.
McNeil came to Lake Erie after serving as the pitching coach and recruiting coordinator at Division I Purdue Fort Wayne from 2020-2025. Under his guidance, McNeil helped make a significant impact, with multiple team and individual pitching records being broken during his time, including the program record for strikeouts in a season (407 in 2023) and several single-game and career milestones.
His recruiting efforts produced numerous All-Horizon League selections, and he played a key role in developing talent that reached the professional level. Four of his student-athletes have moved on to pro baseball during his tenure, including signees with the MLB Draft League and independent leagues.
McNeil's pitching staffs have been instrumental in marquee wins over nationally recognized programs, including victories against Indiana, Michigan State, and Michigan.
Before joining Purdue Fort Wayne, McNeil was the first head coach of the Lafayette Aviators in the Prospect League, where he led the team to a championship in 2017. In addition to managing all aspects of the team, he recruited over 120 players and contributed to the organization's community and business operations.
McNeil served as the pitching coach at NCAA Division I North Florida from 2016 to 2017, where his staff led the Atlantic Sun Conference in ERA both seasons by posting a 3.68 ERA in 2016 and 3.60 in 2017. The Ospreys ranked in the nation's top 50 for ERA each year and compiled a 71-43 record during his tenure. His 2017 staff set a program record with 438 strikeouts, while the 2016 team allowed a program-low .263 opponent batting average. Seven of his pitchers went on to play professionally.
Before his time at North Florida, McNeil was the director of baseball operations and camp coordinator at Indiana State from 2014 to 2016. He managed the recruiting database, assisted with practices, video analysis of pitchers, and player placement for summer leagues, in addition to overseeing camps.
In 2014, McNeil was the pitching coach for the Danville Dans of the Prospect League and also served as associate head coach and pitching coach at Lake Land College, where he coached future Mastodon pitcher Mitchell Ley.
As a player, McNeil competed at Eastern Illinois, where he ranked 46th in the nation with a 2.18 ERA in 2011 which was the fifth-lowest single-season ERA in program history. His 3.89 career ERA ranked eighth all-time at EIU.
He earned his bachelor's degree in kinesiology and sports studies from Eastern Illinois in 2011 and earned an associate degree from Lincoln Trail College in 2009.
