Neil Beckner enters his second season as a defensive assistant on the Urbana football staff in 2019. He will help coach defensive backs and also serve the program as Team Chaplin.

Beckner brings coaching experience from previous stops at the high school level, including a three-year stint at Springfield High School. He has also helped coach travel softball and basketball teams during his coaching career.

Beckner attended Urbana University and played under former coach Ray DeCola in the late 80's, before deciding to join the Army. Beckner is a Gulf War Veteran where he served in the U.S. 3rd Armored Division during Operation Desert Storm.

After serving in the military, Beckner's playing career eventually took him overseas where he played in the German Football League from 1991 to 1993 for the Bremen Buccaneers.

Beckner is a retired state corrections officer and a graduate of Springfield Shawnee High School.