Buffalo State College Men's Football

Buffalo State has hired Mike Neale as the next head coach of the Bengals' football program following a national search. Neale has more than two decades of coaching experience, including the past 19 years working at the Division III level including roles as a head coach as well as a coordinator in all three phases.   Neale most recently served as the defensive coordinator at Delaware Valley for two seasons where his teams posted a record of 16-6 (.727) and his defenses ranked among the tops in the nation in several categories, including ranking second in total defense and scoring defense in 2024.    Prior to Delaware Valley, Neale served on season as the special teams coordinator and defensive backs coach at Franklin College, following a seven-year stint as the head coach at Whittier College.  During his time at Whittier, he inherited a roster with 27 players and grew the program averaging more than 40 recruited athletes per season.  His student-athletes excelled in the classroom, achieving the highest team GPA in program history with a 3.18 team average.   Neale broke into college coaching with a nine-year run as an assistant coach with Albright College where he held titles including defensive coordinator, recruiting coordinator, special teams coordinator and also coached several position groups on both sides of the ball. Albright finished 2-8 the season prior to Neale's arrival and then went 69-32 (.683) with three NCAA playoff game victories and three ECAC bowl appearances during his time.   A native of San Diego, Calif., Neale got his start in coaching spending six seasons as an assistant coach at the high school level at his alma mater Valhalla High School.    As a player, Neale enjoyed a record-setting high school career as a running back and return specialist at Valhalla, which produced a number of honors; including being selected All C.I.F. San Diego Section. Neale continued his career at Grossmont College, receiving all conference recognition as a return specialist. After earning his associate's degree, he transferred to complete his playing career as a wide receiver at Division I Missouri State University.  Neale received his bachelor's degree in history from California State University, San Marcos in 2002.

Recruiting Areas: Section II "Capital District Albany," New York City Tyrone joined the Bengals coaching staff as an assistant football coach in January 2019 after coaching for four years at Brockport.   In 2016, Nichols worked with an offensive unit at Brockport that put up record numbers, setting a program record for points-per-game.  He oversaw a rushing attack that featured two-time All-American Dan Andrews who rushed for more than 5,000 career yards and mentored the back to 44 career touchdowns.  He helped the Golden Eagles to two NCAA playoff appearances, including a trip to the Final Four. During his playing career at Brockport, the running finished his career with 2,127 rushing yards, 652 receiving yards and 25 total touchdowns in 35 games played.  He ran for over 1,000 yards and had 1,373 all-purpose yards during his junior season and was named second team All-New Jersey Athletic Conference. A native of Troy, N.Y., Nichols completed his bachelor's degree in sport management with a business administration minor.  He will also be assisting with campus recreation and intramurals.

Recruiting Areas: NY Section VI "Western New York", JUCO, Transfer Portal Mathews joined the coaching staff in 2018, under head coach Jerry Boyes. After one season assisting with the defensive backs, he now serves as the team's running backs and fullbacks coach. As running backs coach, Mathews has guided three players to all-conference honors. During the 2025 season, Mathews expanded his role beyond coaching the offensive backfield, stepping in to lead the offensive line. Under his guidance, freshman running back Jeadi Higdon delivered a standout campaign—recording the most rushing yards by a Bengals freshman in more than 15 years. He also finished second in the conference in all purpose yards. Higdon’s exceptional performance earned him Liberty League Rookie of the Year honors and a Second Team All-Conference selection. The 2023 season was the running backs best statistical season in seven years. The backfield combined for 1,255 rushing yards, averaging 4.8 yards per carry, and found end zone ten times. Ale Wilson earned Second Team All-Conference selection and finished his career with five 100 yard games, the most for a Bengals running back since 2016. A former player for Kenmore West High School, he served as the head junior varsity coach at St. Joe's Collegiate Institute in 2017, after coaching the defensive backs and running backs for two years at Kenmore East High School. Mathews lives in Kenmore with his wife Marie and their son Thomas.