
Former Ball State coach Mike Neu joins Illinois' staff as senior offensive assistant
Illinois coach Bret Bielema announced the hire Thursday.
Neu went 40-63 at Ball State from 2016-24. He was fired in November, when Ball State had a 3-7 record with two games remaining in its season.
His 2020 Ball State team won a Mid-American Conference title and beat San Jose State in the Arizona Bowl, the first bowl victory in school history. That team finished 23rd in The Associated Press Top 25.
Neu previously worked as a quarterbacks coach for Tulane (2012-13) and the New Orleans Saints (2014-15).
Originally Published:

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
11 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Cubs chairman says team's performance convinced him extending Hoyer's contract was right thing to do
CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts came into the season thinking about extending president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer's contract. The team's performance convinced him it was the right thing to do. 'We went into the season thinking about an extension,' Ricketts said Friday. "I think the team was playing well enough that Jed had really proven he put a good ballclub on the field. I've always been comfortable with Jed. He makes good baseball decisions, and he's really built a good organization.' The Cubs agreed to a multiyear extension with the 51-year-old Hoyer on Monday. His contract was set to expire at the end of this season, his 14th with the Cubs. Hoyer was hired as general manager in 2011 and replaced Theo Epstein as president of baseball operations following the 2020 season. Led by breakout All-Star Pete Crow-Armstrong, Chicago was second in the NL Central and a game behind Milwaukee at 63-45 entering Friday's matchup against the Baltimore Orioles. It lost two of three at Milwaukee this week. The Cubs added depth to their lineup and pitching staff before the trade deadline. They acquired utility player Willi Castro from the rebuilding Minnesota Twins and veteran left-hander Taylor Rogers from the Pittsburgh Pirates. They also got right-handers Michael Soroka from the Washington Nationals and Andrew Kittredge from Baltimore. 'I think the way he's methodically gone about developing the right players and bringing them up, looking for the right guys to add, being thoughtful about who he signs," Ricketts said. 'I think all those things have added up. He's had a good first four years. And then of course going into this season, when we got off to a great start, that just spoke to his decision-making and his judgment, and so we were confident a few weeks ago that an extension was the right thing to do.' ___ AP MLB:

Associated Press
12 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Cubs chairman says team's performance convinced him extending Hoyer's contract was right thing to do
CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts came into the season thinking about extending president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer's contract. The team's performance convinced him it was the right thing to do. 'We went into the season thinking about an extension,' Ricketts said Friday. 'I think the team was playing well enough that Jed had really proven he put a good ballclub on the field. I've always been comfortable with Jed. He makes good baseball decisions, and he's really built a good organization.' The Cubs agreed to a multiyear extension with the 51-year-old Hoyer on Monday. His contract was set to expire at the end of this season, his 14th with the Cubs. Hoyer was hired as general manager in 2011 and replaced Theo Epstein as president of baseball operations following the 2020 season. Led by breakout All-Star Pete Crow-Armstrong, Chicago was second in the NL Central and a game behind Milwaukee at 63-45 entering Friday's matchup against the Baltimore Orioles. It lost two of three at Milwaukee this week. The Cubs added depth to their lineup and pitching staff before the trade deadline. They acquired utility player Willi Castro from the rebuilding Minnesota Twins and veteran left-hander Taylor Rogers from the Pittsburgh Pirates. They also got right-handers Michael Soroka from the Washington Nationals and Andrew Kittredge from Baltimore. 'I think the way he's methodically gone about developing the right players and bringing them up, looking for the right guys to add, being thoughtful about who he signs,' Ricketts said. 'I think all those things have added up. He's had a good first four years. And then of course going into this season, when we got off to a great start, that just spoke to his decision-making and his judgment, and so we were confident a few weeks ago that an extension was the right thing to do.' ___ AP MLB:
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Wrigley Field chosen to host 2027 All-Star Game. Manfred downplays spat with Phillies' Harper
CHICAGO (AP) — The Friendly Confines are set to host The Midsummer Classic. Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred made it official, announcing during a news conference Friday at home plate that the 2027 All-Star Game will be held at Wrigley Field. Baseball's second-oldest ballpark hasn't hosted an All-Star Game since 1990. Chicago Cubs great Ryne Sandberg — who died Monday of cancer — won the Home Run Derby that year. Wrigley also hosted All-Star Games in 1947 and 1962. Manfred, who was joined by Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, cited the 'amazing transformation' of the ballpark and surrounding streets in the past decade as part of a massive renovation by the Ricketts family. The Cubs first approached the league about hosting an All-Star Game eight years ago. But for a variety of reasons, including competition from other cities and safety concerns with the ballpark in a bustling neighborhood, they weren't awarded one until now. Chicago cleared a big hurdle in June, when the city passed an ordinance allowing sidewalks along Addison Street to be widened and removable bollards to be installed around the ballpark. 'I think we're probably overdue in terms of being at Wrigley,' Manfred said. 'The Ricketts family, city of Chicago and state of Illinois made a tremendous investment not just in the ballpark but the area around it. I think it'll be a fantastic venue for our All-Star celebration.' Wrigley Field is set to join Cleveland's Municipal Stadium and the old Yankee Stadium as the only ballparks to host four All-Star Games. The city of Chicago will host the event for the eighth time, second only to New York with nine. Pritzker, a Cubs fan, called Wrigley Field 'the perfect place to host the All-Star Game.' 'For over 100 years, this has been the beating heart of the baseball world and a shining emblem of our nation's favorite pastime,' he said. 'There's no place like it.' Ricketts lived in the neighborhood the last time the Cubs hosted the All-Star Game. But he wasn't able to attend. 'I didn't have dough,' he said. Ricketts figures to have an up-close view this time, assuming the game is played as scheduled. There is some doubt with baseball's collective bargaining agreement set to expire following the 2026 season, though Manfred expressed confidence the owners and players will avoid a lengthy work stoppage. Asked about a potential contingency plan if there is a strike or lockout, he said: 'My contingency plan is to make an agreement with the players and play the 2027 season.' Manfred and Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper had a spirited exchange last week during a question-and-answer session between the commissioner and the team. In that meeting, Manfred spoke about the media landscape and working together to grow the sport, according to a person with knowledge of the conversation. At some point, Harper told Manfred if he was there to talk about a salary cap, he could 'get the (expletive) out' of the clubhouse. 'I think more has been made out of this than needs to be made out of it,' Manfred said Friday. 'Bryce expressed his views. At the end of the meeting, we shook hands and went our separate ways. Not all that significant.' Philadelphia hosts the 2026 All-Star Game. ___ AP MLB: