Calvert Hall basketball coach Gary Neal announced Friday that he has stepped down after three seasons.
The 2002 Calvert Hall alum, who went on to graduate from Towson University and enjoy a seven-year NBA career, went 29-39 in his three seasons leading the Cardinals.
Calvert Hall finished 16-20 this season, going 9-7 for third place in the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference’s Red division and 3-11 in the Baltimore Catholic League. The Cardinals were eliminated in the first round of each of the league’s playoffs.
Neal, 39, said he enjoyed his time coaching at Calvert Hall and would have liked to produce more wins. His decision to step down was personally connected.
“To kind of sum it up, with my third year in and having the end of season meeting, I didn’t really feel that things were in place to be able to help me get the program from three wins in the BCL to 11,” he said. “Not saying anything bad about Calvert Hall at all, I just didn’t feel that things would be moving in the right direction.”
Calvert Hall will soon begin a search for its third coach in seven years.
“We want to thank Gary for his work leading our basketball program. We wish him and his family the very best in their future,” Calvert Hall athletic director Dan Mulford said.
Neal said he’s looking to spend more time with family — his son’s Amateur Athletic Union play is set to begin soon — and didn’t leave out the chance to return to coaching.
“Right now, I’m just going to enjoy my family and whatever comes, comes,” he said. “I’m a big believer in God and if it’s meant for you, it’s meant for you and an opportunity will present itself.”
Neal played seven of his 13 professional basketball seasons in the NBA, starting with a three-year stint for the San Antonio Spurs.
After a standout college career at La Salle and Towson — he was a 1,000-point scorer at both programs — Neal started his pro career in Turkey in 2007. After stints in Spain and Italy, he signed with the Spurs in 2010 and went on to play for five more NBA teams.