CARBONDALE, Ill. – Southern Illinois head coach Nick Hill announced that Lee Pronschinske (pronounced pron-CHIN-ski) has been named the team’s new safeties coach.

Pronschinske has familiarity with the Missouri Valley Football Conference, serving as a defensive assistant for North Dakota State for two years, including its 2021 FCS National Championship season.

Most recently he was the defensive coordinator and safeties coach at Division II Western New Mexico in 2023, and served as the defensive coordinator and interim head coach at Division II Minot State in 2022.

“Coach Pron is a bright, young coach who has a passion and energy for the game,” Hill said. “He has been a part of championship football and also has coordinator experience, which is remarkable for his age.”

With the Bison, Pronschinske was involved in all aspects of defensive game-planning and assisted linebackers and defensive backs. He was also the offensive coordinator for the scout team and coordinated the scout team’s special teams.

“I appreciate Coach Hill and Coach (Antonio) James giving me this opportunity,” Pronschinske said. “I understand the level of competition in the Missouri Valley Football Conference. Our goal is to win a championship and I’m looking forward to getting to work.”

A native of Arcadia, Wis., Pronschinske played safety and linebacker at Winona State where he earned Academic All-Conference honors in 2017.

He started his collegiate coaching career in 2018 at his alma mater as a tight ends, fullbacks and safeties coach. From there, he spent one season as defensive backs coach at Emporia State (2019) and one season coaching DBs at Northern State (2020).