Former Idaho State coach pleads guilty to murder in Arizona | Idaho

POCATELLO – DaVonte' Neal, a former assistant football coach at Idaho State University, has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the 2017 shooting death of Bryan Burns in Tempe, Arizona. Neal was originally charged with first-degree murder, but accepted a plea deal to a reduced charge.

The incident occurred when Burns' vehicle was sideswiped near Interstate 10 and Elliot Road. After the collision, Neal allegedly opened fire, killing Burns. Neal was later arrested in Pocatello, Idaho in 2022 while serving as an assistant coach for the Idaho State football program.

Neal was charged not only with murder, but also with driving past and discharging a firearm into a building. However, his guilty plea only covered the charge of second-degree murder. Court records show that the plea agreement allowed Neal to avoid the more serious conviction of first-degree murder, which could have carried a life sentence or even the death penalty.

Prior to his coaching career, Neal was a standout football player at the University of Arizona, where he played wide receiver and cornerback. His coaching stint at Idaho State ended abruptly with his arrest, which shocked the local community as Neal had a history of being a well-respected figure in both sports and coaching.

Neal's sentencing is scheduled for October 4, 2024.