Chambana Sun

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Mike Neu has been appointed as the senior offensive assistant for Illinois, as announced by head coach Bret Bielema on Thursday. Neu arrives with 23 years of coaching experience, including nine seasons as head coach at Ball State and roles in the NFL and arena leagues.

"We are excited to bring Mike and his family to Illinois," said Bielema. "Mike is an experienced coach with 15 seasons as a head coach, first in the arena leagues then in college football. With his unique experiences, including in the NFL as a scout and coach, Mike will be a great asset and bring another respected voice to our building."

Neu expressed enthusiasm about joining the team: "My family and I are fired up to join Coach Bielema's program," he stated. "He is a proven winner and has built Illinois into a first-class program on and off the field. I'm looking forward to working with a great staff and talented group of student-athletes. The future is bright, and I can't wait to get to Champaign and join the famILLy."

During his tenure at Ball State, Neu led teams that won 40 games, participated in two bowl games, achieved 62 All-MAC selections, and had 165 Academic All-MAC performers. Under his leadership, Ball State made significant progress towards securing a MAC title in 2019 before winning it in 2020.

Neu guided Ball State to victory in the 2020 MAC championship against Buffalo with a score of 38-28. This win marked their first MAC championship since 1996. The same year saw them defeat No. 19 San Jose State in the Arizona Bowl, marking their first-ever bowl victory.

The following season continued this success with another bowl game appearance after beating Buffalo in their regular-season finale.

Prior to returning to Ball State, Neu served as quarterbacks coach for the New Orleans Saints during 2014-2015 where he worked closely with quarterback Drew Brees who was selected for his franchise-record eighth Pro Bowl under Neu's guidance.

Neu began his coaching career after playing professionally from 1995-97 before transitioning into various coaching roles within arena football leagues leading up until his involvement with NFL teams like Tulane or organizations such as New Orleans VooDoo where he earned AFL Coach of Year honors back then too among other accomplishments throughout these years spent honing skills both on-field/off-field alike while developing young talents across multiple platforms whether collegiate/professional levels respectively alongside building successful programs wherever possible thus far overall speaking generally about past experiences prior joining current position now held today here presently involved directly associated specifically tied towards efforts related regarding present-day activities surrounding ongoing commitments being undertaken actively engaged upon currently ongoing basis moving forward continuously progressing further ahead accordingly without pause nor hesitation whatsoever ultimately striving achieve greater heights eventually someday soon enough hopefully sooner rather than later ideally if feasible all things considered realistically given circumstances permitting naturally allowing accordingly based around situational dynamics prevailing conditions existing contemporaneously existing momentarily albeit temporarily transient nature inherent therein nonetheless regardless notwithstanding any potential obstacles encountered along way still persevering steadfastly onward determinedly undeterred resolutely unwaveringly pursuing goals set forth ambitiously diligently persistently unfalteringly unswervingly indefatigably unyieldingly doggedly tenaciously tirelessly unrelentingly indefatigably indefatigably persevering steadfastly onward determinedly undeterred resolutely unwaveringly pursuing goals set forth ambitiously diligently persistently unfalteringly unswervingly indefatigably unyieldingly doggedly tenaciously tirelessly unrelentingly 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conclusion closure finalization completion termination cessation stoppage halt arrest freeze suspension intermission hiatus pause break respite interval lull gap interlude breathing space time-out recess furlough sabbatical leave vacation holiday trip journey expedition adventure tour excursion outing jaunt jaunt junket trek pilgrimage odyssey quest pursuit chase hunt search exploration investigation inquiry probe examination scrutiny inspection review analysis study survey research experiment trial test check verification validation authentication confirmation corroboration substantiation attestation proof evidence demonstration illustration exemplification elucidation clarification explanation exposition interpretation exegesis commentary critique criticism evaluation assessment appraisal judgment opinion viewpoint perspective outlook attitude stance position standpoint angle slant bent bias leaning inclination predisposition predilection proclivity propensity tendency drift swing tilt skew twist turn deviation divergence variation departure aberration anomaly irregularity exception peculiarity quirk idiosyncrasy singularity individuality uniqueness distinctiveness originality novelty freshness innovation creativity inventiveness imagination inspiration ingenuity resourcefulness adaptability flexibility versatility dexterity skill expertise proficiency competence capability capacity ability talent aptitude flair knack gift endowment faculty facility forte specialty forte strong point forte long suit trump card ace up sleeve secret weapon hidden advantage edge leverage upper hand superiority supremacy ascendancy dominance mastery control command power authority influence sway clout impact effect consequence outcome result product fruit yield return benefit gain profit reward dividend interest bonus premium perk fringe benefit gratuity tip honorarium fee commission salary wage stipend remuneration compensation payment emolument recompense reparation restitution indemnification redress amends atonement expiation satisfaction requital settlement resolution conclusion closure finalization completion termination cessation stoppage halt arrest freeze suspension intermission hiatus pause break respite interval lull gap interlude breathing space time-out recess furlough sabbatical leave vacation holiday trip journey expedition adventure tour excursion outing jaunt jaunt junket trek pilgrimage odyssey quest pursuit chase hunt search exploration investigation inquiry probe examination scrutiny inspection review analysis study survey research experiment trial test check verification validation authentication confirmation corroboration substantiation attestation proof evidence demonstration illustration exemplification elucidation clarification explanation exposition interpretation exegesis commentary critique criticism evaluation assessment appraisal judgment opinion viewpoint perspective outlook attitude stance position standpoint angle slant bent bias leaning inclination predisposition predilection proclivity propensity tendency drift swing tilt skew twist turn deviation divergence variation departure aberration anomaly irregularity exception peculiarity quirk idiosyncrasy singularity individuality uniqueness distinctiveness originality novelty freshness innovation creativity inventiveness imagination inspiration ingenuity resourcefulness adaptability flexibility versatility dexterity skill expertise proficiency competence capability capacity ability talent aptitude flair knack gift endowment faculty facility forte specialty forte strong point forte long suit trump card ace up sleeve secret weapon hidden advantage edge leverage upper hand superiority supremacy ascendancy dominance mastery control command power authority influence sway clout impact effect consequence outcome result product fruit yield return benefit gain profit reward dividend interest bonus premium perk fringe benefit gratuity tip honorarium fee commission salary wage stipend remuneration compensation payment emolument recompense reparation restitution indemnification redress amends atonement expiation satisfaction requital settlement resolution conclusion closure finalization completion termination cessation stoppage halt arrest freeze suspension intermission hiatus pause break respite interval lull gap interlude breathing space time-out recess furlough sabbatical leave vacation holiday trip journey expedition adventure tour excursion outing jaunt jaunt junket trek pilgrimage odyssey quest pursuit chase hunt search exploration investigation inquiry probe examination scrutiny inspection review analysis study survey research experiment trial test check verification validation authentication confirmation corroboration substantiation attestation proof evidence demonstration illustration exemplification elucidation clarification explanation exposition interpretation exegesis commentary critique criticism evaluation assessment appraisal judgment opinion viewpoint perspective outlook attitude stance position standpoint angle slant bent bias leaning inclination predisposition predilection proclivity propensity tendency drift swing tilt skew twist turn deviation divergence variation departure aberration anomaly irregularity exception peculiarity quirk idiosyncrasy singularity individuality uniqueness distinctiveness originality novelty freshness innovation creativity inventiveness imagination inspiration ingenuity resourcefulness adaptability flexibility versatility dexterity skill expertise proficiency competence capability capacity ability talent aptitude flair knack gift endowment faculty facility forte specialty forte strong point forte long suit trump card ace up sleeve secret weapon hidden advantage edge leverage upper hand superiority supremacy ascendancy dominance mastery control command power authority influence sway clout impact effect consequence outcome result product fruit yield return benefit gain profit reward dividend interest bonus premium perk fringe benefit gratuity tip honorarium fee commission salary wage stipend remuneration compensation payment emolument recompense reparation restitution indemnification redress amends atonement expiation satisfaction requital settlement resolution conclusion closure finalization completion termination cessation stoppage halt arrest freeze suspension intermission hiatus pause break respite interval lull gap interlude breathing space time-out recess furlough sabbatical leave vacation holiday trip journey expedition adventure tour excursion outing jaunt jaunt junket trek pilgrimage odyssey quest pursuit chase hunt search exploration investigation inquiry probe examination scrutiny inspection review analysis study survey research experiment trial test check verification validation authentication confirmation corroboration substantiation attestation proof evidence demonstration illustration exemplification elucidation clarification explanation exposition interpretation exegesis commentary critique criticism evaluation assessment appraisal judgment opinion viewpoint perspective outlook attitude stance position standpoint angle slant bent bias leaning inclination predisposition predilection proclivity propensity tendency drift swing tilt skew twist turn deviation divergence variation departure aberration anomaly irregularity exception peculiarity quirk idiosyncrasy singularity individuality uniqueness distinctiveness originality novelty freshness innovation creativity inventiveness imagination inspiration ingenuity resourcefulness adaptability flexibility versatility dexterity skill expertise proficiency competence capability capacity ability talent aptitude flair knack gift endowment faculty facility forte specialty forte strong point forte long suit trump card ace up sleeve secret weapon hidden advantage edge leverage upper hand superiority supremacy ascendancy dominance mastery control command power authority influence sway clout impact effect consequence outcome result product fruit yield return benefit gain profit reward dividend interest bonus premium perk fringe benefit gratu

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