Barrick Nealy enters his sixth season in 2023 as the running backs coach, and second as assistant head coach on Dana Dimel’s staff. He is also the Miners' recruiting coordinator.
The Miners produced a pair of running backs in Ronald Awatt and Deion Hankins that combined for over 1,435 yards on the ground. Awatt, who signed with the NFL's San Francisco 49ers, led UTEP with 734 yards on 163 attempts with a pair of scores, while Hankins grinded out 701 yards on 140 carries (5.0 avg.) and three touchdowns. Reynaldo Flores led the team with five rushing touchdowns, while chipping in with 276 yards on only 38 carries (7.3 avg.).
UTEP gained 2,006 yards on the ground and scored 14 touchdowns. The Miners ranked fifth in Conference USA, averaging just over 167 yards per game. The Miners piled up a season-high 335 yards on 61 attempts and three TDs during a 40-6 win over FIU on 'Senior Day'. UTEP gained 252 yards in a win at Charlotte -- the programs first ever victory in the eastern time zone. The Orange and Blue tallied 234 yards in a win against Florida Atlantic.
Awatt rushed for 115 yards in a win over rival NM State, while Hankins hit 100+ yards twice -- going for 138 in a win over FAU, and 112 yards at Charlotte. Flores's 128 yards on 13 carries and two TDs led UTEP over FIU. Flores added a 41-yard effort with a score in an upset victory over Boise State on national TV. Flores capped his career with 74 yards on 11 carries and a TD at UTSA.
Awatt and Hankins combined for over 1,300 yards on the ground and 12 rushing touchdowns in 2021. Their efforts helped surge the Miners to the New Mexico Bowl against Fresno State.
Overall, UTEP’s ground game averaged over 140 yards per contest and totaled 18 rushing scores. Awatt rushed for a team-high 844 yards, and Hankins gained 458 yards, while each found the end zone six times.
UTEP gained 289 yards during a win against Bethune-Cookman, while tallying 265 yards rushing during a victory at Southern Miss. The Miners found the end zone three times in a ‘Senior Day’ victory against Rice. Quardraiz Wadley, who had been hampered by injuries during his career, rushed for 40 yards and a touchdown against Rice, while adding another score at UAB.
Rey Flores, who’s listed as a running back/wide receiver, rushed for 130 yards on 32 carries, while adding a two-point conversion at UAB.
Under Nealy's watch, Hankins enjoyed the most prolific season by a UTEP freshman running back in 2020. He racked up 592 yards and nine touchdowns in the abbreviated seven-game season, averaging 84.6 yards per contest with a trio of 100-yard performances (he also rambled for 99 yards in the season finale versus North Texas). Hankins was tabbed to the Conference USA All-Freshman Team. Another major development during the 2021 campaign was the emergence of Awatt, who earned the most extensive action of his career and responded with 190 yards, averaging 4.5 yards per carry.
Nealy spent the previous two years with the Miners as Director of Player Development & High School Relations (2018-19) and Recruiting Coordinator/Senior Player Personnel Director (2019-20).
He received his first coaching opportunity at San Marcos Academy from 2011-17, where he mentored San Marcos High School quarterback and former University of Texas shortstop David Hamilton. He also worked with San Marcos quarterback Prudencio Calderon, who led the 2017 Rattlers to their first district title in 14 years. Calderon later played at Rice.
Nealy played quarterback for coach Dana Dimel in four games at Houston in 2002 before transferring to Texas State. Nealy threw for 7,206 yards and 52 touchdowns in 35 starts (2003-05) with the Bobcats. Under then-offensive coordinator Tom Herman, Nealy earned 2005 Southland Conference Player of the Year honors after passing for 21 scores and leading his squad to a SLC Championship.
Following his successful 2005 campaign, Nealy signed a free agent contract with the NFL’s Minnesota Vikings and was a wide receiver in 2006. Later that year, Nealy inked a contract with the CFL’s Calgary Stampeders, where he played quarterback for five seasons (2006-10).
Nealy earned his Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences degree from Texas State in 2017. He and his wife, Tiffany, have two sons, Sir Isaac and Isaiah, and a daughter, Sage.
Coaching Experience
2022-Pres.: UTEP (Assistant Head Coach/Running Backs)
2020-21: UTEP (Running Backs/Recruiting Coordinator)
2019-20: UTEP (Recruiting Coordinator/Senior Player Personnel Director)
2018-19: UTEP (Director of Player Development & High School Relations)
2011-17: San Marcos Academy (Quarterbacks)
