The hiring of Chuck Neighoff infuses new blood into the Linsly soccer program.
Chuck himself may be new to the Linsly family, but he’s well acquainted with its history as well as of the first families of Linsly soccer. Neighoff grew up in Maryland and played soccer at junior college in Baltimore. He transfered to Bethany College and was graduated as a Bison in 1993.
In addition to serving both in the Army and Air Force, Neighoff also was an employee of Bethany College for a considerable amount of time.
During that time, Neighoff not only assisted with Bethany soccer camps, but he also helped coach both the men’s and women’s soccer teams.
While there, he met and befriended seemingly every member of the Regan family, including then-head coach Sean, the current head men’s coach at West Liberty, along with Bison Hall of Famer and Wheeling U coaching legend Jim Regan.
He also met Jim’s wife, Jill, who was the longtime successful coach of the Lady Cadets’ program.
“I’ve known them for a lot of years,” Neighoff admitted. “Even when I was living back in Baltimore I’d come back and work the soccer camps.”
He’s also familiar with the school. His son is an incoming sophomore and returning defensive stalwart for the boys’ team.
The elder Neighoff has wanted to return to the high school game for a while and this presents the perfect opportunity.
“I wanted to return to high school coaching,” Neighoff said. It’s different and I really enjoy the aspect of developing players. Whereas in college, you’re recruiting the type of player you’re looking for.”
Continuing the Success
Neighoff is taking over a program rich in tradition and success. The Cadets have won nine OVAC championships since girls’ soccer became a sport in the conference during the 1990s.
That total is second only to Wheeling Park’s 12 titles.
The Cadets also are coming off a Division 1A-3A OVAC title in 2019 in former head coach Daryl Crews’ final season.
Linsly lost some talent but returns 17 players, including senior Neveah Cook and four-year starter Sophia Stark to anchor the back line.
The new coach is looking to keep that tradition of winning alive and moving forward.
“It’s an honor to take over a program that has the tradition of success for many years,” Neighoff said. “The girls’ program is strong with a lot of local talent as well.”
Making His Mark
Neighoff is looking forward to the type of coaching atmosphere the high school game provides.
He knows has a number of players for whom soccer is their only sport. They dedicate their time to the sport year-round.
The roster also features many multi-sport athletes, some of whom call soccer their best sport, some of whom their second or third best.
It provides a nice mixture when formulating a plan of attack, not just for practice, but for the season.
“What’s unique in high school is you get athletes that play other sports and you have players that all they play is soccer and it’s a nice blend,” Neighoff said. “I do like to play a certain style, but I will adjust to what we have.”
Alignments and lineups may change. The overall team philosophy will not feature long leading passes by midfielders with strikers chasing after the ball the length of the field.
“I will not play that type of game,” Neighoff said. “If we get a breakaway, it’s because that’s what we have, but I won’t tell my midfielders to send it deep constantly. This is not kick and run.”
The coach also wants to mirror the Wheeling Park boys’ program by hosting a free soccer clinic for younger age players and have his girls’ help out with the clinic.
It’s something he’s seen the Patriots’ do and he feels it will be a benefit, not only to the younger players in the community, but also the program as a whole.
“It will get the kids out and get them some experience as well as let them experience Linsly,” he said. “They are familiar with Linsly in some ways but not in others and they’ll be able to see the school, the campus, our players.”
Tweaking the Schedule
Neighoff is also a proponent of playing your rivals and the teams in your area. He’s added another meeting with Wheeling Central for a home and home series this season.
There are two games against Wheeling Park, two against John Marshall and defending Class AAAA champion Oak Glen.
A home and home against St. Joe based in Huntington also has been added to the schedule. The boys’ and girls’ teams will play the Irish in a doubleheader followed by a trip to Huntington later in the season.
Any of the top local teams Neighoff could add to the schedule, he’s added.
“I’m a strong believer in always playing all the local schools,” Neighoff said. “Most of the kids play together, they live in the same neighborhoods and there is a lot of camaraderie there.
“Playing against your rival school is a good thing for them.”
