Coach Pries enters his eleventh season as the Director of Athletics, serving soley in that role since stepping down as head football coach on November 15, 2016.

Concordia has won four national championships during Pries' tenure as Athletic Director, including Stephanie Johnston becoming a National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) national champion in the Marathon (2018), an NAIA Cheer National Championship (2019), a pair of National Christian College Athletics Association (NCCAA) Baseball National Championships (2019, 2022), and an NCCAA Softball Championship (2023). 

When Coach Pries first came to Concordia Ann Arbor, it was a winless varsity program in its infancy. Each year that Pries has been at the helm, Concordia has improved their record, culminating at a five win season in his final year. The season was highlighted by a comeback win at Siena Heights and an upset of 5^th ranked Saint Xavier. In his last season as Head Coach, six Cardinals were given All Conference Honors by the MSFA under Pries. 

Before accepting the position at Concordia Ann Arbor Coach Pries had been the head football coach of his alma mater, Concordia University Chicago (CUC) since 2006. He returned to CUC after the Cougars went winless in 2004 and 2005. Since taking over the program Pries led the Cougars to a 42-29 record, including three 8-2 seasons and a 10-1 record this past season. The Cougars won two Northern Athletics Conference (NAC) championships and made an NCAA III playoff appearance in 2012 under Pries guidance. For his efforts at Concordia Chicago Pries was named the 2012 NAC Coach of the Year and was named NAC Co-Coach of the Year in 2009 and 2011.

Prior to heading back to his alma mater Pries coached a combined 13 years at St. John Lutheran High School in Ocala, Florida and Milwaukee Lutheran High School in Wisconsin. He was given the task of rebuilding both of the school's programs. Among his former players is Nick Roach, the former Chicago Bears and Oakland Raiders strongside linebacker in their 4-3 defense.

Lonnie Pries playing career was equally impressive. Pries played defensive end for Concordia Chicago from 1989-1992. He was named 2^nd Team All-Conference his first three seasons and then earned the Illini-Badger Conference Defensive Lineman of the Year award and was named Honorable Mention All-American his senior season. Pries not only excelled on the field but in the classroom as well as he earned CoSIDA 2^nd Team Academic All-American honors. For his efforts with the Cougars Pries was inducted into the Cougar Athletic Hall of Fame in 2011.

Coach Pries had this to say about his new opportunity, "I feel greatly blessed for this opportunity here at Concordia Ann Arbor. Being able to lead the football program and this great athletic staff is something I am surely thankful for. I'm looking forward to being able to work closely with CUAA's student athletes and am extremely excited and proud to do so."

Pries earned his B.A. in Secondary Education/English from Concordia University Chicago and his M.S. in Education-Counseling from Concordia University Wisconsin in 2001. He and his wife Jennie are the parents of Kaylie, Aliyah, and Layne.

For questions about the Cardinals' Football Program or with Concordia Athletics feel free to contact Coach Pries at lonnie.pries@cuaa.edu or by phone at (734) 904-4685