Great basketball coaches are often marked by their longevity and success, and head coach Neil Alexander can certainly be considered in those two categories. He begins his 36th season as a head basketball coach with 641 all-time victories to his credit, a prestigious mark that ranks him 4th among active coaches and 34th among all-time coaches in the state of Illinois. He was inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association’s Hall of Fame in 2004, and he became Lincoln’s only basketball coach in the history of the school to lead three teams to Illinois’ Elite Eight State Tournament. Coach Alexander has undoubtedly established himself and his program as one of the state’s finest.
Alexander first succeeded as a player and student. Neil played four years at Monmouth College and was inducted into their Hall of Fame in 2004. After graduating from Monmouth, he went on to receive a Master’s Degree from Western Illinois University.
Alexander began his coaching career at Joy-Westmer and then moved back to Monmouth-Yorkwood High School, where he coached for two years. Those experiences led to an eleven-year term with Bushnell-Prairie City before accepting the head basketball position here in Lincoln.
Last year, Coach Alexander led his Railers to an impressive 25-win season and a Meyer Classic Tournament Championship. His 2011 squad was a senior-led team best known for their long-range shooting consistency, their precise offensive execution, and their team-first style of play. Throughout the year, they proved their coach’s ability to create teams that overachieve and compete at the highest level of high school basketball.
The Railers have been blessed with a talented basketball coach whose success is evident in many areas. With 482 Lincoln wins to his credit, Neil Alexander remains the all-time winningest coach in LCHS history. His remarkable career in Lincoln has led the Railers to fifteen 20-win seasons, three Super-Sectional titles, and three Elite Eight State Tournament appearances in ’99, ’05, and ’07.
Coach Alexander’s accomplishments are outstanding. He contributes his success to hard work, dedicated players, a loyal coaching staff, and a supportive family. He has often said he considers it an honor to have worked with the many talented athletes and coaches who believe in Lincoln’s standard of excellence and work hard to preserve it. He regularly notes how difficult his profession would be without Denise, his supportive wife of 39 years and mother of their three children: Tammy and husband Scott Kirby, Geoff and wife Kiersten, and Gregg and wife Nicole. Coach is also proud of his four grandchildren, Austin and Bryson Kirby, and granddaughters Braelyn and Kinley Alexander.