University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Football
Neighbors, Wes
Wes Neighbors
- Title:
- Assistant Coach/S
Louisiana Football has added Wes Neighbors to the coaching staff as a defensive assistant coach, joining the Ragin’ Cajuns after coaching stops at South Florida, Florida Atlantic and Alabama. Most recently serving as the safeties coach at USF, the newly appointed defensive coach will work with Louisiana’s safeties in 2021.
During his tenure at USF, Neighbors helped coach a secondary that produced 10 interceptions in 2020. Mekhi LaPointe was one of the top defensive players on the team under Neighbors’ tutelage, ranking second on the team with two interceptions and third among secondary players with 33 tackles.
Neighbors spent the 2018 and 2019 seasons at Florida Atlantic, helping the Owls’ defense become one of the best in the nation. In 2019, the Owls set a program record with 21 interceptions and led the nation in total takeaways (33), interceptions (22) and turnover margin (+21).
In his first season at FAU (2018), Neighbors’ safeties unit was led by senior Jalen Young, a Second Team All-Conference USA selection that ended his career tied among all active FBS players with 13 interceptions and finished second on the team with 59 tackles.
Prior to FAU, Neighbors played and served on staffs at Alabama during a period in which the Crimson Tide won five national championships (2009, 2011, 2012, 2015 and 2017).
Neighbors began his coaching career as an Alabama student assistant (2011-12), working with the special teams and running scout practice periods, before assuming the an off-field graduate assistant role with special teams. In 2013-14, Neighbors moved to defensive intern where he worked with the outside linebackers, organized opponent data and led the scout team unit for a 2013 defense that was ranked No. 5 nationally.
He then served one year as a defensive graduate assistant (2014-15), assisting the defensive coordinator and helping develop Butkus Award winner and All-American Reuben Foster and All-American Reggie Ragland.
In spring of 2015, he moved into a defensive analyst position. During his time as a staff member at Alabama, the Tide held no lower than a No. 3 national ranking (2015) and garnered the No. 2 spot in 2016 and 2017. Neighbors was a part of teams that played in the Peach and Cotton Bowls and won two SEC Championships.
As a player, Neighbors was a safety and a member of special teams units for the Crimson Tide from 2008-11. He played on two national championship teams, winning BCS titles in 2009 and 2011.
Neighbors graduated from Alabama with honors in 2011, earning a bachelor’s degree in commerce and business administration. He continued his education in Tuscaloosa, earning a Master of Science degree in marketing in 2012. He was a member of the SEC Honor Roll from 2008-11, was a Dean’s List member in 2008 and is a member of the Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity.
During his tenure at USF, Neighbors helped coach a secondary that produced 10 interceptions in 2020. Mekhi LaPointe was one of the top defensive players on the team under Neighbors’ tutelage, ranking second on the team with two interceptions and third among secondary players with 33 tackles.
Neighbors spent the 2018 and 2019 seasons at Florida Atlantic, helping the Owls’ defense become one of the best in the nation. In 2019, the Owls set a program record with 21 interceptions and led the nation in total takeaways (33), interceptions (22) and turnover margin (+21).
In his first season at FAU (2018), Neighbors’ safeties unit was led by senior Jalen Young, a Second Team All-Conference USA selection that ended his career tied among all active FBS players with 13 interceptions and finished second on the team with 59 tackles.
Prior to FAU, Neighbors played and served on staffs at Alabama during a period in which the Crimson Tide won five national championships (2009, 2011, 2012, 2015 and 2017).
Neighbors began his coaching career as an Alabama student assistant (2011-12), working with the special teams and running scout practice periods, before assuming the an off-field graduate assistant role with special teams. In 2013-14, Neighbors moved to defensive intern where he worked with the outside linebackers, organized opponent data and led the scout team unit for a 2013 defense that was ranked No. 5 nationally.
He then served one year as a defensive graduate assistant (2014-15), assisting the defensive coordinator and helping develop Butkus Award winner and All-American Reuben Foster and All-American Reggie Ragland.
In spring of 2015, he moved into a defensive analyst position. During his time as a staff member at Alabama, the Tide held no lower than a No. 3 national ranking (2015) and garnered the No. 2 spot in 2016 and 2017. Neighbors was a part of teams that played in the Peach and Cotton Bowls and won two SEC Championships.
As a player, Neighbors was a safety and a member of special teams units for the Crimson Tide from 2008-11. He played on two national championship teams, winning BCS titles in 2009 and 2011.
Neighbors graduated from Alabama with honors in 2011, earning a bachelor’s degree in commerce and business administration. He continued his education in Tuscaloosa, earning a Master of Science degree in marketing in 2012. He was a member of the SEC Honor Roll from 2008-11, was a Dean’s List member in 2008 and is a member of the Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity.
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