Update, March 11, 2025:
MySaline reported this week that Benton Schools Athletic Director Scott Neathery resigned. We asked him the reason for his resignation, how he feels about his time at Benton, and what’s next:
“It is time for new leadership in our athletic department,” Neathery told us. “Through my career, I’ve never wanted to become stale by staying in one position too long. Selfishly, I need a new challenge to attack as well.”
Neathery said he’s excited for the next chapter in his career, which begins after June 30, 2025. “Fortunately, I have some time to figure it out. The good Lord has always taken care of my family. I have faith that He will continue to take care of us.”
He’s worked for Benton over two decades and has seen many successes. “I’m blessed to have had the opportunity to work in Benton for 22 years, and 18 of those in a leadership position. We’ve had multiple highlights during my time in Benton. The best is seeing our athletes become successful adults.”
Some of Neathery’s accomplishments:
• Worked in Benton for 22 years:
• 4 years – Football OC and Head Girls Soccer.
• 3 years – Director of Athletics and Transportation.
• 6 years – Head Football.
• 9 years – Athletic Director.
• Multiple State and Conference Championships.
• Led the Benton Football Program from bottom feeder to a top-tier 6A team.
• KATV Football Coach of the Year.
• 3-time All Star Coach (2 Football, 1 Soccer).
• Highly involved in the vision, designing, planning and completion of the Athletic Complex. Started with the completion of the softball field and ended with the completion of the baseball field.
• Created 2 non-profits.
• Benton Panther Foundation during my first stint as Athletic Director.
• Benton Touchdown Club during his stint as Football Coach (the benchmark for all Benton booster clubs to follow).
• Brought the Weekend of Champions (Spring state championships) to the Benton Athletic Complex (first time it wasn’t at the University of Arkansas).
“High school athletics is about learning life lessons,” said Neathery. “I’ve been very fortunate to work with coaches and principals of high character, that that truly care about students and care about the athletics program as a whole.”
Neathery said that every decision they made was done so because it was what they thought was best for athletes and the program.
Click to read about his and 15 other resignations at Benton Schools in our article from Tuesday, March 11, 2025.
Previously, March 10, 2025:
Scott Neathery, the Athletic Director for Benton Public Schools confirmed Monday afternoon that he did resign from his position, effective June 30th, 2025. Read more below.
This position was a promotion for Neathery in 2016. He was the head football coach at Benton before that. His coaching career began at Bryant Public Schools in 1995 and he has also been head football coach for Sheridan Public Schools. He holds a Bachelor in in secondary education from Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, and played football there on a scholarship.
MySaline contacted the Benton School Board president, Tadd Farmer but there was a school board meeting in session at the time. He did contact us afterward and stated that they the school board cannot make a comment on the topic.
The MySaline archives for Neathery produced a snapshot in time for Saline County sports in 2016. Here’s where everyone was at the time:
- Paul Calley exited Bryant to come to replace Jimmy “Red” Parker at Harmony Grove.
- Buck James exited Camden Fairview to replace Calley at Bryant
- Daryl Patton exited Fayetteville to replace Dustin Prescott at Bauxite.
- Scott Neathery moves to a new position at Benton, leaving the Head Football Coach job open.
Back to the present – that open position as head football coach in Benton was filled by Brad Harris. There will no doubt be a few shifts with this resignation. Watch MySaline for updates on this story.
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