Coordinator who still considers himself “a D-II guy” now leads the Saluki defense

Twenty-eight-year-old Lee Pronschinske was promoted from safeties coach to defensive coordinator in February. (Photo by Saluki Communications)

By Dan Verdun

Even though his resume includes two years at FCS national powerhouse North Dakota State, first-year Southern Illinois defensive coordinator Lee Pronschinske still in many ways considers himself “a D-II guy.”

That doesn’t bother Nick Hill in the least. In fact, the 10th-year SIU head coach relishes it as his team wraps up spring practice with the annual game at 11 a.m. Saturday at Saluki Stadium.

“Coach Pron is a young rising star in our profession,” Hill said of the 28-year-old who coached SIU’s safeties last season before his promotion.

Hill also hired Darius Davis to coach the defensive line. Davis spent four seasons on the Robert Morris staff where he coached incoming transfer defensive tackle Bernadin Fleurima Jr. 

Like Pronschinske, Davis also coached at levels below FCS.

“I love hiring guys who have been at the lower levels, where it pushes you to learn how to teach and coach and do more with less,” Hill said.

Pronschinske definitely fits into that category.

“I take a lot of pride in being a Division II guy. When you’re in that world, you do everything,” said Pronschinske, who played at Winona State in Minnesota. “I started as a D-II GA. You’re doing equipment, laundry and coaching the safeties. 

“You’re helping with traveling and postgame meals. You’re focused on academics and doing class checks. You see the program (as a whole) and how things need to run, so it’s efficient.”

Young in age, rich in experience

Pronschinske spent two years as a defensive coordinator in Division II, first at Minot (N.D.) State in 2022 and then at Western New Mexico in 2023.

“I was also the interim coach (at Minot State) at 26. I did that for a couple of months,” he said.

The hours were long, but the rewards were rich.

“At that level, you learn to do more with less,” Pronschinske said. “You’re used to being hands-on. It teaches you a great work ethic and at the end of the day, it gives you great appreciation for what you do have.”

Pronschinske replaced Antonio James, who is now an assistant defensive line coach at the University of Illinois.

“It’s an awesome opportunity, and I’m extremely grateful to Coach Hill for it,” he said.

Pronschinske is also thankful for working under Matt Entz and David Braun at North Dakota State. Both are now head coaches at the FBS level at Fresno State and Northwestern, respectively.

“I’ve been so fortunate to have been surrounded by so many men of high character, as well as really good football coaches,” Pronschinske said. “To this day, they’re two of my biggest mentors that I talk to regularly.”

Process and procedure

Pronschinske wasn’t just handed the SIU coordinator position.

In fact, part of Hill’s process and procedure included Pronschinske interviewing in front of the entire football staff.

“That meant a lot, having the opportunity to get in front of everyone who knew me as a position coach but then to have the opportunity to speak as a coordinator,” he said.

Pronschinske’s presentation included an explanation of his scheme along with a look at “the big picture and culture.”

Pronschinske also noted that knowing SIU’s personnel makes the transition into his new job easier.

“That’s been a nice part of it,” he said. “Having been with the safeties, I had plenty of time to get with not only the corners but also with the linebackers during game planning in the fall and in spring ball. Those guys are used to me presenting and teaching things like route concepts. Working with (linebackers coach) Mac (McLeran) is great.”

Linebacker Colin Bohanek said this spring has been a smooth transition.

“Coach Pron is big on our guys understanding the philosophy and identity, and then we can go from there,” the graduate student said. “He’s building a great foundation.”

A large part of that foundation for Pronschinske is building a reputation for his defense.

“We don’t want the media and people talking about how we look schematically,” he explained. “When they talk about us, we want them to talk about how fast we play, about how violent and hard we play together. That’s a big stressor for us this spring.”

Dan Verdun is a co-founder of Prairie State Pigskin. He has written four books: NIU Huskies Football, EIU Panthers Football, ISU Redbirds Football and SIU Salukis Football.

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