By Derek Shore (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Neal Myers is set to make his head coaching debut in 2023 as he takes over as the new face of the Salem football program.
Myers inherits a Tigers team that was winless last year. He comes from his alma mater Rolla, where he was an assistant coach for the Bulldogs the past four seasons.
Before that, Myers spent four years coaching at Casa Grande, Ariz. High School. He played NCAA Division I football at Arkansas State and transferred to Division II Emporia State in the MIAA and was a standout for three years at defensive end for head coach Jerry Kill.
“I’m very excited. It has been a long-term goal of mine,” Myers said of being a head coach. “I think it happened a little bit sooner than what I originally anticipated, but the program and the community of Salem has made it very easy. Salem is a supportive community of the football program. Obviously, they’ve had a very high amount of success in the past. It has been a positive experience so far.
“We have the kids to make something happen. As a staff, one of our goals is to get back to the fundamentals. We want to make sure we are teaching, coaching and getting the kids ready for where we are. The biggest thing is the kids have desire. They want to play. They want to be taught. As a coach, that is all you can ask for in a program.”
Salem will be led by a trio of All-SCA selections in seniors Owen Hamilton (OL/DL) and Jamal Metcalf (WR/DB/P) along with junior Reuben Hovey (RB/LB). Hovey rushed for a team-high 230 yards on 53 carries last season, while Metcalf caught three passes for 81 yards.
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Seniors Joe Griffith and Wyatt Martin in addition to junior Layton Mink return to help the Tigers anchor both sides of the line.
Senior Kaiden Dubois is back at quarterback. Last season, the signal caller amassed 265 yards passing and scored four rushing touchdowns. Senior Wyatt Campbell (WR/DB) is also returning for Salem.
Since the end of April and start of May, Myers said his biggest focus has been building and developing relationships with the returning players on the team. Getting that buy-in has been essential in establishing a new culture.
“Anytime you’ve got leadership coming back into a program, the first thing you’ve got to do is get their buy-in,” Myers said. “With the guys that are returning, we’ve had really good buy-in. They have been accepting of what we are wanting to do and what we are trying to do”
Schematically, Salem will feature a different look than in years past, especially on the offensive side of the ball. The Tigers will shift from a zone scheme to being more of a downhill attack this year out of the I formation.
“We are trying to establish the line of scrimmage to run the ball,” Myers said. “I think we have to do that before we can open up the passing attack and go at it. We need to define who we are from the beginning.”
Salem is at the Sullivan Jamboree on Aug. 18. The Tigers host St. James in Week 1 to open the regular season.
“We need to be explosive and be the hammer, not the nail,” Myers said. “Overall, I think we’ll see positive results from the team this year. Putting a number on it, I don’t think that will do it any justice. But I think we’ll see more discipline and better fundamentals than what we’ve seen in the past.”
