Greasy Neale
Inducted:
1969
Player Stats
Born:
November 5, 1891
Parkersburg, West Virginia, U.S.
Died:
November 2, 1973
Lake Worth, Florida, U.S.
Position:
Coach
College:
West Virginia Wesleyan
Earle “Greasy” Neale was a brilliant strategist and one of the NFL’s most successful early head coaches. Best known for leading the Philadelphia Eagles (1941–1950), Neale built one of football’s first true dynasties through discipline, innovation, and defensive mastery. After guiding the Eagles to steady improvement, he led them to back-to-back NFL Championships in 1948 and 1949, with both victories coming by shutout — a feat still unmatched in league history.
Neale was a pioneer of modern defensive schemes, including the five-man line that later evolved into the 4–3 defense. Before coaching, he enjoyed a versatile athletic career, even appearing in Major League Baseball and the early NFL as a player. Known for his fiery personality and attention to detail, Neale’s leadership helped shape Philadelphia into a championship team.
Greasy Neale was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1969, recognized as one of the game’s great innovators and championship architects.
Neale's Awards and Records
- 2× NFL Champion (1948, 1949)
- NFL Coach of the Year (1949)
- Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Fame
- NFL 1940s All-Decade Team (Coach)
Notable Achievements
- Only coach to win consecutive championship shutouts (1948–1949)
- Pioneer of modern defensive formations
- Built the Eagles into a postwar NFL powerhouse
NFL Teams
As a coach:
Philadelphia Eagles (1941-1950
NFL Stats
Season Coached:
10 (1941–1950)
Win:
63
Lose:
43
Tie:
5
Win(%):
.590
Playoff Record:
3–1