Neal Renna

Neal Renna is in his first season as assistant coach and safeties coach for University of Akron head coach Joe Moorhead in 2022.

Renna joins the Akron staff after serving three seasons working at Eastern Illinois. He was named co-Special Teams Coordinator in 2020 in addition to working with the safeties.

The Panthers in 2021 led by Second-Team All-Conference nickel Jordan Vincent ranked ninth in the NCAA in passing yards allowed, while also ratin 30th in the FCS in total defense in 2019 and 41st in 2021, Additionally, Eastern Illinois ranked 40th in FCS in turnovers gained in 2019, 44th in 2020 and 42nd in 2021.

His safeties ranked fifth and seventh on team in tackles (unit made 138 tackles for season) in 2019 and third and fourth, respectively, on team in tackles (unit made 107 tackles for the season) in 2020.

Prior to Eastern Illinois Renna worked as defensive analyst (linebackers) at Missouri (2018) as part of staff that posted 8-5 record and appearance in Liberty Bowl. He also worked as a graduate assistant defensive line coach at Missouri (2015-17), where he two Freshman All-Americans, three All-SEC Defensive Linemen and NFL first-round draft pick Charles Harris (Miami).

He was the Tigers’ acting defensive line coach for the final two games of 2016 season, while being part of coaching staff that made appearance in 2017 Texas Bowl.

 Prior to Mizzou, he worked as a recruiting assistant at Northwestern (2014) and a defensive Backs coach at Kansas Wesleyan (2012-13).

He played football at Heidelberg (Ohio) University (2007-10) where he earned Academic All-OAC Honors. He completed his bachelor's degree from Heidelberg University in 2011 before earning master’s degrees from Kansas Wesleyan in 2013 and Missouri in 2017. Additionally, he attended Officer Candidate School for United States Navy in 2011

 A native of Chicago, Ill., he and wife Erin, have one son, Nicholas.