Carbondale Reporter

Southern Illinois University's head football coach, Nick Hill, has announced several promotions within the program's coaching staff. On the defensive side, Lee Pronschinske has been promoted to defensive coordinator. Last season, under Pronschinske's guidance, the team boasted two all-conference safeties, Ubayd Steed and Iverson Brown.

"Coach Pron is a young, rising star in our profession," Hill remarked. "Working with him the past year, he communicates really well and is a highly detailed guy."

Darius Davis will take on the role of defensive line coach after spending four seasons at Robert Morris. He also coached incoming transfer Bernadin Fleurima Jr.

"When you look at his resume, he's come up through the ranks," said Hill. "I love hiring guys who have been at lower levels."

On offense, Hill will return to dual roles as head coach and offensive coordinator. This approach has brought success during his eight-year tenure at SIU.

"I'm excited to get back into that role — obviously, I've called plays for a lot of my career," stated Hill.

Ryan McVicker has been promoted to quarterbacks coach.

"For me to be the coordinator, I had to have Ryan," Hill explained. "There's not much that I know that Ryan doesn't know."

Graduate assistant Michael Lindauer will assist with the offense this season.

"Mike will work alongside Ryan and I out of the quarterback room," said Hill.

Hill also announced administrative promotions: Chris Gillespie as Director of Operations, Devan Williams as Video Coordinator, and Jacqueline Crain as Graduate Assistant.

"Chris is really my right-hand person," noted Hill about Gillespie. On Williams: "Devan has traveled with our team for several years." Regarding Crain: "I've known her for a long time and she's done so much for our program."

"We talk about player culture all the time," concluded Hill. "With hiring staff, it's really about how you can affect the player."