| Jess Neely |
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Jess Neely served as the head coach of Clemson football from 1931-39 compiling a 43-35-7 record over his nine year Clemson career. During his tenure he coached Banks McFadden, one of Clemson's greatest all-time athletes. Neely coached McFadden-led Clemson to its first ever bowl game, a 6-3 victory over Boston College in the 1940 Cotton Bowl. After that season and with a 9-1 record, the team finished 12th in the final AP poll.
Following the game, Neely left to become the head coach at Rice University where he led the Owls to six bowl games and onto the national college football scene. In 1967, Neely left Rice to become the athletic director at his alma mater, Vanderbilt, where he remained until as athletic director until 1971 and golf coach until 1981. Following his retirement, he lived in Texas where he passed away in 1983. Neely was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1971.
