Coach and Olympian David Neville speaks to Kiwanis about shaping athletes with a ‘FOCUSED’ approach

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Olympic gold medalist and Georgia Southern Track & Field Head Coach David Neville recently spoke to the Kiwanis Club, sharing insights from his athletic and coaching journey. In his third season with the Eagles, Neville outlined his “FOCUSED” philosophy, a guiding set of values he instills in his athletes to inspire excellence both on and off the track.

The Statesboro Kiwanis Club welcomed a special guest on November 7th: David Neville, head coach for Georgia Southern’s Track & Field and Cross Country programs and an Olympic gold medalist.

Neville, now in his third season at Georgia Southern, has made strides with the team, pushing athletes to break records and set new standards for excellence. His journey from athlete to coach is filled with high-level achievements, a commitment to service, and a dedication to developing young athletes. During his speech, Neville shared his unique coaching philosophy, goals for the program, and insights into his journey in both athletics and coaching.

A Background in Excellence and Dedication

Before arriving in Statesboro, Neville served as an assistant coach at the University of Tennessee, where he spent five successful seasons working with the sprints, hurdles, and relay events. His coaching philosophy was evident in the results, Tennessee athletes earned 48 All-America honors and set eight program records under his guidance.

Neville has worked with some standout athletes, including Mustaqeem Williams, a three-time SEC Champion, and Joella Lloyd, who competed in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics representing Antigua and Barbuda. These achievements highlighted his ability to guide and inspire athletes to reach their full potential.

“I’ve been fortunate to work with some incredible athletes,” Neville reflected, “but more than that, I’ve learned so much from the experience of helping them reach their goals.”

Of course, Neville’s personal athletic career is as impressive as his coaching record. Originally from Merrillville, Indiana, Neville’s journey to the Olympic podium began at Indiana University, where he was a six-time Big Ten champion and five-time NCAA All-American. He set school records in the 200m, 400m, 4x400m, and distance medley relay.

After his junior year, he went pro, signing with Nike and ultimately competing for the United States in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. There, he won a gold medal in the 4x400m relay and a bronze in the 400m, becoming one of the nation’s top sprinters.

“The journey to that podium required more dedication than I’d ever known,” Neville said, “and it was that commitment to excellence that shaped not only my athletic career but my philosophy as a coach.”

Building a Foundation at Georgia Southern

Neville’s transition to Georgia Southern has been seamless, but by no means easy. The program has seen growth in both performance and recognition since his arrival. In his first season, Neville led the team to break four school records and achieve 31 top-10 performances across indoor and outdoor seasons. Georgia Southern’s fifth-place finish at the Sun Belt Indoor Championships, their best since joining the league in 2014, underscored the impact of his guidance and his push to raise the team’s competitive standard.

But for Neville, it’s about more than just wins and records. He shared with the Kiwanis members that he aims to build a culture of growth, integrity, and perseverance within the team. Reflecting on his goals, Neville said, “I want to see our athletes leave Georgia Southern not only as better athletes but as better people, prepared for whatever comes next in their lives.”

The “FOCUSED” Philosophy: Building Team Culture

Central to Neville’s coaching style is his “FOCUSED” culture code, a guiding philosophy he has developed over the years to instill key values in his athletes. Neville explained that each letter in “FOCUSED” stands for a principle he believes is essential not only to his team’s success but to personal growth and resilience.

Faith: Neville emphasized that faith can take on many forms, from faith in a higher power to faith in one’s abilities. “Believing in oneself is fundamental,” Neville explained. “If athletes lack confidence in their own abilities, they’ll struggle to compete at the level we’re aiming for.”

Openness: He sees openness as a way to build trust and support within the team. Athletes, he noted, face unique pressures today, and providing a space where they feel comfortable sharing struggles is crucial. “When we’re open with each other, we’re stronger as a team,” he said.

Competitiveness: For Neville, competitiveness is about more than winning. It’s about pushing oneself every day, even when no one else is watching. He shared stories of his own training for the Olympics, where every day required a commitment to outdoing his previous best.

Unity: Unity, according to Neville, is what binds the team together, especially on difficult days. “We don’t have to get along every day,” he admitted, “but we do have to work toward the same goals, even when things aren’t easy.”

Sacrifice: Achieving greatness, he noted, requires sacrifice. Neville recalled how he gave up desserts for a year in college to maintain his performance. It’s a small example, but one that represents the dedication he expects from his athletes.

Excellence: Excellence, Neville emphasized, isn’t limited to athletics. He expects it in academics, behavior, and how his athletes treat each other. “When we strive for excellence in all areas, it becomes part of who we are,” he said.

Dedication: Lastly, he spoke on the importance of dedication, encouraging his athletes to commit fully to the team and its goals. “Without dedication, none of these other values would mean much,” he remarked.

Neville opened the floor for questions, and the Kiwanis members were eager to learn more. One question centered on how training methods have changed since Neville’s own Olympic days. He noted that while sports science and new tools have revolutionized training, he remains “old school” in his relationship-based approach.

“I focus on building trust,” he explained, “and helping my athletes understand what they’re doing and why. When they know the ‘why,’ they perform better.”

Asked if he still runs every day, Neville chuckled. While he’s largely retired from running due to achilles issues, he stays active with basketball and tennis. And yes, he joked, chocolate is back in his diet. Another audience member asked about recruiting, and Neville explained that he has cast a wide net, recruiting not only in Georgia but as far away as Mexico, California, and the Bahamas. “We’re always looking for talent, but just as important, we’re looking for athletes who are willing to buy into our culture code.”

A member inquired about the track team’s competitions and whether professional track meets are common. Neville explained that professional track has a presence, though it’s not as widely publicized. He mentioned upcoming changes, including a Grand Slam-style circuit launching next year, which he hopes will bring more visibility to the sport and better financial support for athletes.

A Shared Message of Focus and Dedication

Neville wrapped up his presentation with words of encouragement for the Kiwanis members. He urged them to stay “FOCUSED” in their own lives, whether in their work, family, or personal goals. “Dedication and faith carry us far,” he said.

By the end of his talk, Neville’s genuine enthusiasm and vision had clearly left a mark on those present, showing that he’s not only a coach but a mentor dedicated to positively impacting young people.

As a token of appreciation, the Kiwanis Club presented him with a small gift, thanking him for his time and insight. In all, it was a fitting tribute to a man whose journey from athlete to coach is guided by principles he shares with others, creating a ripple effect beyond the track and into the community he now calls home.

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