Neal Stanley is entering his fourth year as the head beach volleyball coach at Lake-Sumter State College. In his first three years, Coach Stanley has posted a 20-27 record. 

In 2022, his team finished 2nd at the AVCA Small College 2-year Beach Championships. From that team, No. 1 pair Alyssa Guarino and Erin Ellis were named AVCA All-Americans for the first time in program history. 

In 2023, the Lakehawks beach volleyball team took second in the inagural Region 8 Conference Championship, as well as third at the inagural NJCAA National Championships.

Coach Stanley had four players recieve all-State recognition. Cassidy Rountree and Kaylin McCann were named to the All-FCSAA Pairs Team. Alyssa Guarino and Kaylee Hunt were named to the All-FCSAA Second Team.

After their third place finish at nationals, four Lakehawks were recognized as NJCAA All-Americans. Leanne Blue and Alyssa Guarino were named No. 2 Second Team Doubles All-Americans with Berklee Andrews and Alanis Figueroa Rivera being named No. 3 Second Team Doubles All-Americans. With this honor, Guarino became Lakehawk beach volleyball's first-ever two-time all-American. 

Apart from the finishes and accolades, Coach Stanley prides himself in the remarkable growth of his teams year after year. Along with being the head coach of the Lakehawks, Neal also helps coach in the USA Volleyball beach paravolley program.

Neal Stanley was a 4-year indoor volleyball player at Erskine College in Due West, South Carolina. He was fortunate enough to be the captain of a team that won two conference championships and made it to two NCAA Division I National Tournaments. Despite a successful indoor career, his passion was always on the beach. NCAA had not yet adopted beach volleyball as a sport when Neal was in college, but he is happy to have a front row seat to watch the growth of the game and what he is able to contribute to it.

Neal Stanley resides in Eustis, Fla. with his wife and volunteer assistant coach, Kristin Stanley along with their three kids, Palmer, Graham, and Crue Stanley.