Greasy Neale

Architect of the Eagles' first back-to-back NFL Championships.

Alfred Earle "Greasy" Neale served as the head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles from 1941 to 1950. His offense was anchored by quarterback Tommy Thompson, future Hall of Fame end Pete Pihos, and running back Steve Van Buren. The team climbed steadily after two-win starts in his first two seasons, securing a division championship in 1947 before losing the NFL Championship Game. They returned the following year to defeat the Chicago Cardinals 7–0 in snow for their first title, then won again in 1949 against the Los Angeles Rams 14–0 in a driving rain storm. The 1949 campaign featured an 11–1 record that stands as the best winning percentage in franchise history, surpassing any mark set by later teams.

Quick Facts

Born

5 November 1891

Birthplace

Parkersburg, West Virginia, U.S.

Died

2 November 1973

Place of death

Lake Worth, Florida, U.S.

Player positions

End

Overall record

82–54–11 (college football)
26–11 (college basketball)
80–73–2 (college baseball)
66–44–5 (NFL)

Lore & Background

Neale's tenure transformed the Eagles from a struggling franchise into a dynasty. However, they steadily rose up the ranks, culminating in a 1947 division title. The 1948 season saw the Eagles shut out their opponents to beat the Chicago Cardinals 7–0 in a snow-filled NFL Championship Game, securing their first-ever championship. This victory was quickly followed by a second consecutive title in 1949, where they defeated the Los Angeles Rams 14–0 in heavy rain. These back-to-back wins were the first since the 1940 and 1941 Chicago Bears, marking a unique era of dominance.

Reader's Guide

To understand Neale's impact, one must look at the specific achievements of his final years. He led the Eagles to first-place finishes three times between 1944 and 1949. His coaching staff relied on key players: Thompson for passing, Pihos for catching, and Van Buren for running. The 1947 division championship was a turning point, marking the team's rise from early struggles to contention. While they lost that year's title game, the momentum carried them to two straight championships in 1948 and 1949. Neale retired in 1950 after this successful decade, leaving behind a record of excellence that remained unmatched for generations until his inductions into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1967 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1969.

Did You Know?

Neale's nickname 'Greasy' did not come from his elusiveness on the field, but from a name-calling joust with a friend during his youth.
He collected 10 hits during the 1919 World Series, while Edd Roush led the Reds with 11 hits in their first championship in team history.
He served as the backs coach at Yale from 1934 to 1940 before taking the Eagles job.