Between middle school athletics, high school athletics, PE classes, and various elementary basketball teams, Coach Michael Neff was a leader and mentor to more students than arguably any other Watauga County Schools employee. After his passing on February 1, the Watauga community simultaneously struggled to grieve the loss of a loyal friend and persistent advocate and rallied together to comfort one another and the Neff family in any way possible, celebrating the legacy he left behind.
As of last year’s seasons in 2022 through 2023, Neff was the head coach of Indoor and Outdoor track at Watauga High School, in addition to coaching football for the Watauga Middle School team. He had previously coached outdoor track at the middle school level in Watauga, meaning many track athletes ran for Neff for over four years. Neff had a refreshing and effective leadership style, creating personal bonds with each athlete he coached and going out of his way to serve and care for them in every way possible.
“Coach Neff had a tremendous amount of passion for his athletes and students,” said Natalie Fitch, a junior and a member of Watauga Track and Field. “I remember that last year over spring break, Neff provided an optional meet to athletes for them to compete in to have something to do over break if they were in town. He offered to, and did, provide transportation to the meet. Understandably, only about 6 members of the team could make it, but he didn’t mind one bit. He was so happy to be there and gave us support and encouragement through all of it.”
The meet that Neff organized for a small group of students is just a sample of the selfless leadership he exemplified throughout his career, as his students and colleagues agree.
“The fact that Neff took time out of his break to supply a last-minute meet to athletes is only a small glimpse of how dedicated he was to his athletes and how much he loved coaching,” said Fitch. “Coach Neff’s unparalleled character is admirable, and he had a huge impact on the person I am today. I am forever thankful to have known him and be led by him.”
Neff was an inspiration and role model to not only the athletes he coached, but also the colleagues he coached alongside. He continuously provided support, wholeheartedly enforcing and backing every coach’s techniques and ideas. Kim Kop began working with Neff 8 years ago when he asked her to help coach sprinters on the middle school track team.
Virginia St. Clair and Gwendolyn Anderson with Coach Neff
“The program was in its second season under his leadership and was already growing exponentially due to his charismatic recruiting efforts and ability to get kids, and adults, excited about the sport,” said Kop. “He loved track: everything about it. He loved the variety of events and athletes, the complexity of meets, and the culture of Track & Field, which is founded on striving together and perseverance.”
Neff was undoubtedly a coach who moved every team he led to strive together. Furthermore, he guided individual athletes to strive forward simply for themselves. Many came to believe in their own abilities more than ever before.
“Beyond always knowing the right thing to say, he built personal relationships with all of his athletes, and I think that’s part of why his kids performed so well,” said junior Sadie Buchanan. “We go to a lot of meets where I see kids that are so scared to run just because they are scared of their coach, but that was never a worry for me because I knew that no matter what, he would be proud that I just went out there.”
With roots here in Watauga, Neff was loved by a countless number of people, a fact made clear by a flood of social media posts, the blue and gold ribbons students continue to wear on their clothes and bags in Neff’s honor, the box in the Watauga High School lobby labeled “Cards for Coach Neff’s Family,” the testimonies of athletes changed forever, and the packed sanctuary at Alliance Bible Fellowship for his funeral service.
Watauga High School offered a place for students to gift cards of encouragement and support to Neff’s family.
Andrew Wilson, one of Neff’s longtime friends, developed a close bond as students in Watauga County themselves.
"When anything important happened, I called Neff. When I needed help, I called Neff," Wilson said. "He taught me how to be a more confident person and make connections with people. He was more than just my roommate. More than just my closest friend. He was my brother. I will miss him every single day."
The loss of our beloved coach struck the Watauga County Schools community with unexpected and crippling grief. And while the grieving process is far from over, Neff’s loved ones have begun to honor his legacy of living wholeheartedly by celebrating the things that fulfilled him the most.
"As I scroll through funny Instagram posts like ones he used to send me, I know he’ll be reading over my shoulder laughing with me," said Wilson. "As I watch NFL games, I know exactly what he’ll be saying when the Eagles do something stupid. Every time I
Andrew Wilson and Michael Neff
hear a Cher song, I’ll hear him singing right along with it like always. And as I sit at the end of my bench before a basketball game, l know he’ll be sitting next to me with words of encouragement."
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