By definition, the word volunteer means “freely offer to do something.”
In a nutshell, that term aptly describes long-time St. Helena coach Randy Neller. The
Saints Athletic Association will be hosting its annual Fajita Fest dinner on May 5 at the
Native Sons Hall. Yes, fajitas on Cinco de Mayo, how’s that for timing? The event raises
funds for St. Helena High athletics that features a no-host bar, delicious food along with
live and silent auction items.
Saints Athletic Association will be hosting its annual Fajita Fest dinner on May 5 at the
Native Sons Hall. Yes, fajitas on Cinco de Mayo, how’s that for timing? The event raises
funds for St. Helena High athletics that features a no-host bar, delicious food along with
live and silent auction items.
The event does not have a guest of honor every year but the 2018 version will be Neller.
The 1974 St. Helena High graduate coached from the time he got out of high school until
2012. He began coaching the Carpy Gang, which is St. Helena’s youth football program,
but primarily coached the high school program. Neller was also an assistant coach for the
Saints track & field team. He volunteered at the school outside of football, operating the
clock for Saints basketball home games.
The 1974 St. Helena High graduate coached from the time he got out of high school until
2012. He began coaching the Carpy Gang, which is St. Helena’s youth football program,
but primarily coached the high school program. Neller was also an assistant coach for the
Saints track & field team. He volunteered at the school outside of football, operating the
clock for Saints basketball home games.
Neller was a prime example of a tireless worker. For openers, he is a long-time employee
for Beringer Winery, one of the oldest wineries in the entire Napa Valley. Neller’s coaching
was not limited to games and practices. It involved planning for practices, watching film,
scouting future opponents, and performing grade checks. The scouting trips included but
were not limited to trips to Petaluma and Upper Lake. Those trips are often two hours
round-trip if you’re scoring at home. As for the grades, they had to meet his standard, not
the school. Translation, the 2.0 minimum grade point average was not going to suffice.
for Beringer Winery, one of the oldest wineries in the entire Napa Valley. Neller’s coaching
was not limited to games and practices. It involved planning for practices, watching film,
scouting future opponents, and performing grade checks. The scouting trips included but
were not limited to trips to Petaluma and Upper Lake. Those trips are often two hours
round-trip if you’re scoring at home. As for the grades, they had to meet his standard, not
the school. Translation, the 2.0 minimum grade point average was not going to suffice.
I got to know Neller in my years as a sports reporter, most specifically between 2004-2014
when I covered the Upvalley sports beat. Neller and I had our differences, mainly because
he was about as fond of dealing with the media as Bill Belichick and Gregg Popovich. While
it bothered me at first, I eventually came to realize that some people are that way in part
because perhaps they were not treated well by the media in the past. Neller is notorious for
saying, “It’s about the players not the coaches.” While I can appreciate the humility, I believe
it’s a mixture of both because while players perform on the field, they also seek guidance
from the coaches. To that end, Neller guided many youngsters.
when I covered the Upvalley sports beat. Neller and I had our differences, mainly because
he was about as fond of dealing with the media as Bill Belichick and Gregg Popovich. While
it bothered me at first, I eventually came to realize that some people are that way in part
because perhaps they were not treated well by the media in the past. Neller is notorious for
saying, “It’s about the players not the coaches.” While I can appreciate the humility, I believe
it’s a mixture of both because while players perform on the field, they also seek guidance
from the coaches. To that end, Neller guided many youngsters.
In fact, I lost a bet with my partner-in-crime, Garrett Whitt (aka The GMan), because of Neller.
When I took over the beat, I implemented a Q&A feature known as a “Time Out.” GMan said
to me one day, “I bet you I can get a Time Out with Randy.” I replied with, “GMan, I’ll give you
a case beer if you get one with Randy.” That was my way of saying, “Yeah, I’ll locate a rabbi
in Montana.” Lo and behold, I get an e-mail from The GMan and the subject line says, “Time
Out with Randy Neller.” So I had to cough up a case of Budweiser for the GMan. I guess
there are rabbis in Montana.
When I took over the beat, I implemented a Q&A feature known as a “Time Out.” GMan said
to me one day, “I bet you I can get a Time Out with Randy.” I replied with, “GMan, I’ll give you
a case beer if you get one with Randy.” That was my way of saying, “Yeah, I’ll locate a rabbi
in Montana.” Lo and behold, I get an e-mail from The GMan and the subject line says, “Time
Out with Randy Neller.” So I had to cough up a case of Budweiser for the GMan. I guess
there are rabbis in Montana.
I would go as far to say that Neller is the biggest reason why Saints football is still standing
today. Before Brandon Farrell arrived on the scene as varsity head coach in 2008, the
program was in a constant state of change. From 1980-2008, the program endured 13
coaching changes in 28 years. Fortunately, Farrell has provided much needed continuity as
he enters his 11th season.
today. Before Brandon Farrell arrived on the scene as varsity head coach in 2008, the
program was in a constant state of change. From 1980-2008, the program endured 13
coaching changes in 28 years. Fortunately, Farrell has provided much needed continuity as
he enters his 11th season.
Each time the varsity head coach resigned, Neller would be the de facto varsity coach so
as to keep the seat warm until the new hire arrived. The biggest role Neller played was
overseeing the weight room and occasionally spring football practices if the new hire had
not arrived yet.
as to keep the seat warm until the new hire arrived. The biggest role Neller played was
overseeing the weight room and occasionally spring football practices if the new hire had
not arrived yet.
Neller was the Saints varsity head coach for two seasons. Dan Boyett, who also taught at
St. Helena High, resigned before the 1998 season to care for his ailing daughter, who
passed away in 2011.
St. Helena High, resigned before the 1998 season to care for his ailing daughter, who
passed away in 2011.
The 1998 Saints had one of the best seasons in school history going 9-2 led by a storied
senior class that included but was not limited to Adam Beattie, Cliff Little, David Binstock,
Joe Luna, Lane Dickson and Mario Scullati to name a few. Boyett played the Bill Walsh
role in rebuilding the Saints. Neller played the George Seiffert role in keeping the ship
on course.
senior class that included but was not limited to Adam Beattie, Cliff Little, David Binstock,
Joe Luna, Lane Dickson and Mario Scullati to name a few. Boyett played the Bill Walsh
role in rebuilding the Saints. Neller played the George Seiffert role in keeping the ship
on course.
The program struggled the following season, going 2-8. After which time Kyle Schuh was
hired and Neller went back to being the JV head coach.
hired and Neller went back to being the JV head coach.
The other layer to all of the coaching changes was that with each new coach came a new
system to learn.
system to learn.
The narrative that I constantly preach is that many volunteers of youth sports get involved
when their kids start playing but they tend to exit when they leave. That was not the case at
all with Neller. He coached whether his kid was involved or otherwise, which speaks volumes.
when their kids start playing but they tend to exit when they leave. That was not the case at
all with Neller. He coached whether his kid was involved or otherwise, which speaks volumes.
The guests of honor in past years included great coaches that reached legendary status
like George Davis and Donna McCornack. Other honorees included Jim Hunt, Gordon
Anderson and Dr. Robert Darter. Hunt was a 1962 St. Helena High graduate who became
an Upvalley sports historian. Darter was a local doctor who volunteered his time on the
sideline for both Saints and Carpy Gang home games. Anderson coached baseball and
was considered a favorite teacher by many at St. Helena High.
like George Davis and Donna McCornack. Other honorees included Jim Hunt, Gordon
Anderson and Dr. Robert Darter. Hunt was a 1962 St. Helena High graduate who became
an Upvalley sports historian. Darter was a local doctor who volunteered his time on the
sideline for both Saints and Carpy Gang home games. Anderson coached baseball and
was considered a favorite teacher by many at St. Helena High.
Though Neller’s personality is such that he shuns the spotlight, he is extraordinarily
deserving of being honored.
deserving of being honored.
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