Former Wilmington College Sports Information Director and Assistant Women's Basketball Coach Brian Neal has been named the Interim Women's Basketball Head Coach at Division I Xavier University.

He began his coaching career at Wilmington in 1992 under current head coach Jerry Scheve, and served in that capacity until leaving for Division II Northern Kentucky in 1998. In his final two seasons, the Quakers recorded back-to-back 20-win seasons.

"I am excited for Brian," said Scheve. "He is extremely well-prepared for this opportunity, and I know he will do an outstanding job."

While at Wilmington, Neal was also the school's first full-time Sports Information Director.

He experience success at every rung of the coaching ladder. In his six seasons at NKU, the Norse compiled a record of 156-36. They qualified for the NCAA Division II Women's Basketball Championship in every season, including the school's first-ever national title in 2000.

Following his stay at NKU, Neal moved down the street to take his first head coaching job at Division III Thomas More College. The Saints posted six straight 20-win seasons, including a 25-0 regular season. TMC was 171-31 in his seven seasons, while earning the school's first-ever No. 1 ranking during the 2010-11 season.

Neal earned PAC Coach of the Year four times and was twice named Great Lakes Region Coach of the Year.

Xavier kicks off the season on November 10 at Ohio University. His first home game is November 17 at the Cintas Center.