University of Pittsburgh, Johnstown Men's Cross Country

Anthony Dean-Neil serves as the New Head Coach for the Men’s and Women’s Cross Country and Track & Field teams at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown (UPJ). With an accomplished background as both a coach and athlete, Dean-Neil brings over four decades of experience at the high school and collegiate levels. Most recently, he served as the Head Coach at Conemaugh Township, a District 5 high school track & field powerhouse, where he led the program for five years. Under his leadership, many student-athletes went on to compete at the collegiate level, continuing a tradition of excellence. Before that, he led the North Star High School Cross Country team and held previous coaching roles in sprints and hurdles at Somerset High School (2003–2004, 2020–2021). He also served as an assistant coach at Middletown South High School in New Jersey. At the collegiate level, Coach Dean-Neil has contributed to programs at Monmouth University (NJ) and Kennesaw State University (GA). A USATF Level 1 Certified Coach, he is known for developing student-athletes who thrive both in competition and beyond. Dean-Neil's athletic career is equally distinguished. As a student-athlete at Lincoln University, he earned 15 NCAA Division III All-American honors and was the 1993 NCAA National Champion in the 400-meter hurdles. He was also a standout at Long Branch High School (NJ), where he was ranked #3 nationally indoors in the 800 meters in 1984. Adding to his unique story, Dean-Neil gained national media attention in 1983 when he competed in an 800-meter race against a trotting horse—an event televised on CBS Sunday Night News with Morton Dean. Off the track, he is married to Dr. Cindy Neri (UPJ Class of ’96), owner of Neri Chiropractic Center in Boswell. Together they have two children: Liam, a student at North Star High School, and Zoe, a recent 2025 graduate of UPJ. Coach Dean-Neil is widely respected for his contagious energy, deep knowledge of the sport, and lifelong dedication to student-athlete growth. His leadership, passion, and national network make him an invaluable part of the UPJ Mountain Cats athletic program.