The former Penicuik High School pupil was recently appointed to the post at the Babson Park-based Webber International University.
After a series of part-time jobs on leaving school, Neil (28) left to take up a football scholarship in American stu
dying and playing at the University of Iowa.
After graduating, and qualified with his UEFA C licence, he served as assistant men's and women's soccer coach at Iowa Central Community College.
He has also been the graduate assistant men's soccer coach at Siena Heights University, in south Michigan.
Neil, a former Dalmore United player of the year, graduated with a BA in history from Cardinal Stritch University, Milwaukee, in 2004 and completed his Masters degree in organisation leadership at Siena Heights last year.
A keen Rangers and Whitehill Welfare supporter, Neil is one of the few players to be appointed guest coach to the soccer schools run by Bobby Clark, the former Scotland and Aberdeen goalkeeper.
Bobby is head men's soccer coach at Notra Dame.
And more recently Neil, who captained the Penicuik High football team, met former England captain David Beckham at a US coaching session.
Neil's parents still live in Midlothian — dad Willie (53), a community psychiatric nurse, in Roslin, and mum Anna (54) in Penicuik.
Willie said: "I am delighted for him. We are in regular contact and I speak to him every Sunday about football."
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