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Nathan Robbins Image
Nathan Robbins - Head Coach - 1st Season

Having a blank canvass at his disposal, Nathan Robbins is sincere and motivated to build the football program of his dreams on the small campus of Concordia University-Ann Arbor. Simply put, Robbins - the first head coach in the history of Cardinal football - has as his goal to make the Concordia program one of the top NAIA programs in the nation and a well-respected program in the state of Michigan.

 

"Michigan has strong collegiate football, but we will be the only NAIA program and I want to take full advantage of that and build a well-respected program that will draw interest from players that can play at all levels," Robbins said. "I'm a big dreamer and I believe you set your foundation with the idea of how far you want your program to go, rather than settling smaller initially and trying to change it later."

The foundation Robbins hopes to establish in Ann Arbor is one built on a strong emphasis on Christian character where each individual - player or coach - feel accountable to the team. Robbins has a goal to build a championship structure that focuses on developing the man on the football field as well as in the classroom but not just any player need apply.

"The players must have self-discipline and understand that they are accountable to not only themselves, but to their teammates and the coaching staff," Robbins said. "NAIA football is an opportunity for men who didn't receive that Division I scholarship the chance to earn a degree, compete at a high level of football and be part of something larger then themselves."

Robbins, who is currently focusing on adding two full-time members to his coaching staff as well as beginning to follow-up on the piles of names of players who have already expressed interest, doesn't feel beholden to any one particular system on offense nor defense.

"My philosophy is that you recruit to your system, but you must adjust your system to your talent," Robbins said. With no current or returning players to speak off, Robbins will now be on the lookout for the talent that will allow him to hopefully run a successful spread offense or an attacking defense.

Robbins has experience in adjusting his schemes based on the level of competition and the talent at his disposal. While serving as the Defensive Coordinator at Lutheran West High School in Cleveland, Robbins implemented the 53 Double Eagle system that had at its focus the objective of stopping the run. After moving to start the program at Dallas Lutheran, Robbins evolved his defense to a 3-5 while his offense ran a shot-gun triple option.

"Once we establish a coaching staff, we'll figure out the specifics of the schemes we'll want to run," Robbins said. "But right now, my primary focus is recruiting players that will be a positive addition to this campus. Long-term, we'll have the foundation set the build a championship team that has character and challenges the kids physically, spiritually and academically."

Robbins, who played collegiately at Concordia University-Seward in Nebraska, graduated in 1999. Initially recruited as a quarterback, an injury put Robbins on the defensive scout team his first season and that lead to a career as a three-year starting free safety, where Coach Robbins earned First-Team All-Conference each season. Robbins was also named the National Defensive Player of the Week as a Bulldog player.

Robbins met his wife of nine-years during his college days in Nebraska. Laura Robbins is a former volleyball player at Concordia-Seward and has coached the volleyball squad at Dallas Lutheran for the last several years.

The Robbins' have four children: Skyler, age seven; Kylyn, age five; Makynna, age four; and T.D., age two.


Anthony Pratley Image
Anthony Pratley - Offensive Coordinator - 1st Season
As the inaugural season of Concordia football creeps ever so close, Cardinal fans should be aware that the offense is expected to be packing some heat. And that's just the way head coach Nathan Robbins wants it as he selected Anthony Pratley to be the new offensive coordinator. Pratley, in addition to having extensive experience coaching and direct ties to Concordia University, is known nation-wide for his innovative offensive scheme called the Pistol Spread Option.  
"Coach Pratley is an outstanding football mind in a faith-first coaching philosophy," said Robbins. "The ability to hire a coach who is at the national forefront of both the promotion and development of the Pistol Spread Option offense was paramount. Coach Pratley's level of dedication and expertise was overshadowed only by his ability and desire to be a catalyst for faith development in our players and staff. This comination is a huge double win for Concordia. Coach Pratley will be a cornerstone of our initiative to build National Champions through the Victory for Life program."
 
Pratley's coaching philosophy is in step with Robbins' Victory for Life program, say Pratley, "My philosophy in coaching is to develop a lifelong attitude of achievement, Christian character, work ethic, and selflessness in the live of the young people that we serve. Football is a tremendous vehicle to teach our student-athletes life lessons. My philosophy has always been to build men of character above all else. I am very excited to be a part of building Coach Robbins' program and vision for CUAA football from the ground up."
 
Pratley was part of two State Champion, and one State Runner-Up, teams while a player at Frankfort High School. Upon graduating, Pratley attended Concordia University in Mequon, Wisconsin where he was exposed to a more passing style. After serving as Defensive Coordinator at his alma mater, Pratley took over the program at Mesick High School and began to implement the flexbone offense utilized heavily by the collegiate military academies.
 
At the start of the century, Pratley continued the transformation of his offense as he relied heavily upon the spread offense, from which he was able to finally morph the systems into the Pistol Spread Option.
 
Pratley comes to Concordia after serving as the head coach at Leonardtown High School in Leonardtown, Maryland.
 
Numerous coaches throughout the nation have conferred in to Coach Pratley and praise his innovative and exciting offense. Each year, Coach Pratley runs his PSO Camps and Clinics where hundreds of coaches throughout the nation come to learn more in-depth about the offense that is changing, and challenging, defensive schemes in both the high school and college games. Coach Pratley has also made available forums and playbooks to interested coaches on his website: http://www.pistolspreadoption.com.

 Pratley graduated from Concordia University Wisconsin, where he met his wife, Mary. The Pratleys have three children: daughters, Keyarra (age 11) and Kyra (age 10), and son, Tyrus (age 5). Prior to moving back to Michigan, the family attended Trinity Lutheran Church in Lexington Park, Maryland. Pratley had grown up in Frankfort, Michigan, and served as Youth and Family director at Trinity Lutheran Church in Frankfort prior to accepting the coaching position in Maryland.

To reach Coach Pratley, call (734) 995-7450 or e-mail pratla@cuaa.edu To reach Head Coach Robbins, call (734) 995-7478 or e-mail robbin@cuaa.edu.

Jason Smelser Image
Jason Smelser - Defensive Coordinator - 1st Season

Concordia University Ann Arbor is proud to announce the hiring of the program's first Defensive Coordinator Jason Smelser. Coach Smelser comes to Concordia University from Mid-States Football Association Conference foe Iowa Wesleyan College.

 

Before coming to Concordia University, Smelser spent a short stint at West Texas A&M as the defensive line coach during the spring of 2010. Smelser was named Iowa Wesleyan College's 36th head coach in December 2005, becoming one of the youngest head coaches at the collegiate level at 29 years of age. He took over as Tiger head coach after serving as Defensive Coordinator/Head Assistant in his first season with the Tigers in 2005.

Smelser is no stranger to the Mid-States Football Association, and has fielded some of the most aggressive defenses in the MSFA. In 2005 Smelser coached one of the best defensive teams in the nation under his direction that fall, ranking among the NAIA national leaders in pass defense (11th, 156.5 yards per game), pass defense efficiency (24th, 104.3) and total defense (28th, 310.5 yards per game). In 2008 Coach Smelser's defense ranked among the NAIA's leaders in several categories. His defense allowed 145.4 yards of passing offense per game to rank first in the Mid-States Football Association and sixth in the nation. The team was also ranked 35th nationally in yards per game.

Smelser was a standout football player at the high school and college levels and provides eleven years of collegiate coaching experience. A 1995 graduate of Ouachita Christian High School in Monroe, La., Smelser earned All-State and All-Northeast Louisiana honors as a linebacker. He also was a three-time all-district selection and named district defensive MVP in 1994. He went o­n to play football at Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia, Ark., where he was a four-year letter winner and three-year starter o­n the gridiron. He was part of the 1997 team that won the Gulf South Conference championship and qualified for the NCAA Division II playoffs. Smelser was named all-conference as a running back in 1998.

At Southern Arkansas, Smelser earned his Bachelor's of Science degree in 2000 and his Master's degree in education in 2001. He served o­n the Southern Arkansas football coaching staff from the spring of 1999 to the fall of 2004. Smelser coached outside linebackers and running backs as a student and graduate assistant from 1999-2000. He then served as defensive line coach from 2001-2004 and helped lead Southern Arkansas to the Division 2 playoffs in 2003, a season during which his defensive line totaled 30 sacks. While at Southern Arkansas he also coached a pair of NFL players in defensive lineman Kenny Pettway (Jacksonville Jaguars) and safety Jordan Babineaux (Seattle Seahawks).

 

Smelser has also been a speaker on the clinic circuit speaking at the Illinois high school coaches' clinic in Champaign, IL on the 3-4 defense and has also traveled to Poland to help coach with the Kozly Poznan football team while serving as a missionary. Coach Smelser has also taught physical education for eight years and was recognized in the 2006-07 edition of Who's Who Among American Teachers & Educators. Jason and his wife, Wendy, have been married eleven years and have a ten-year old daughter, Madison, and a six-year old son, Slade.

 

"I am truly excited about being part of a new program, Coach Robbins and the administrations are first class in everything they do. A true Christ centered program and university are very important to me as a coach. I believe the specific skills that we teach in sports have absolutely nothing to do with the leadership skills or integrity of the athletes. Just because I teach a defensive lineman how to pass rush or a defensive back the footwork doesn't mean they have learned how to be a better Christian, better husband, a better father or a better person. We have to instill those skills through our own integrity and we must ‘walk the talk' and lead by example. We, as coaches, must provide the settings and then challenge our athletes to be the best they can be on and off the field. Coach Robbins ‘Victory for Life' program is a solid match for me and my family," added Smelser.

To reach Coach Smelser call (734) 995-7473 or email smelsj@cuaa.edu


Mike Capra Image
Mike Capra - Assistant Coach - 1st Season
Mike Capra will be in his first season as an assistant football coach at Concordia University in 2010.  He will be coaching the offensive line.

Before accepting the position at Concordia, Coach Capra was the defensive/offensive line coach at Howell High School in Howell, MI.  Capra has been coaching high school football for over 25 years.

Coach Capra is a Probation Officer with the 44th Circuit Court-Juvenile Division in Livingston County.  Prior to his time as a Probation Officer, Capra was a Deputy Sheriff in Livingston County for 25 years before retiring in 2005.

Capra earned both his bachelor's degree and masters degree from Concordia.  Coach Capra was in the first graduating Master's Program in 2002.  Mike and his family are members of Grace Lutheran Church in Howell, Michigan.

Coach Capra lives in Howell with his loving wife Kristen.  They are blessed with four beautiful children, Bethany, Alex, Jessica, Brett along with one grandson, Gibby.

Christopher Etts Image
Christopher Etts - Assistant Coach - 1st Season
Coach Chris Etts came to Concordia after having coached High School football for 17 years.  He was also a member of the State Championship winning Sylvania Southview High School coaching staff.

Coach Etts played QB in High School in earning All-League Honors.  He joined the US Marine Corps after High School and attended Monroe County C.C. for 2 years.  He then moved on to finish his schooling at the University of Michigan.

Christopher Hare Image
Christopher Hare - Assistant Coach - 1st Season
Chistopher Hare is married to a beautiful wife Cheri and has three wonderful children.  He previously served as the Offensive Coordinator at South Lyon East High School.  He loves Jesus and lives a blessed life.

Jamone Mims Image
Jamone Mims - Assistant Coach - 1st Season
Concordia University Ann Arbor welcomes Coach Jamone Mims as the Defensive Back Coach. Jamone Mims has been a Personal Athletic Development Coach with (M.I.M.S.) www.MusclesInMotionSystems.com since 2004. He teaches high school and collegiate athletes how to develop skills and enhance playing level. Mims counsels athletes concerning academic and athletic decisions while helping them maximize their athleticism via conditioning, strength, and speed training. Mims scouts and recruits athletes and helps them to become intense, disciplined, and detailed-oriented like himself, which he believes mental preparation is the key to success.  Mims's skills in motivating and encouraging others to exceed personal expectations, grants his presence at the 1st NAIA National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics college football team in Michigan CUAA http://ConcordiaCardinals.com

Mims recently coached a victorious stripes team of college football 2010 WV All-Star game http://www.AllAmericanBowl.com , he was the WR coach and conducted the pro agility combine for DII, DIII, and Semi Pro athletes. Mims was the Assistant Athletic Director & Phys. Ed. teacher (K5-8) at Word of Faith Christian Center/Faith Christian Academy, Southfield, MI  2007-08, he planned, administered lessons, created athletic programs, developed comprehensive conditioning, and provided strength programs.

Mims coached WR at Ypsilanti H.S., MI. 2004, where he motivated and encouraged students to strive for excellence. He was the Football and Basketball Coach at Willow Run Community School District, Ypsi, MI  2001-03 and coached WR and DB. As the Floor Supervisor 1999-01 he assisted athletes with academic, social/ emotional concerns and provided a safe-secure living environment (U.S. Boxing Team) U.S. Olympic Education Center, Marquette, MI.

Mims excelled in football at the high school and college levels. Mims graduated from Willow Run High School in 1995, the 3 sport letterman in Football, Track, and Basketball, was an all conference RB, labeled the areas "big play guy" who received the coaches track award. Mims redshirted in 1996 as a freshman at Jackson State Univ. and 97 he was a slot receiver, and return specialist. Mims transferred to Northern Michigan Univ. in 98 and instantly impressed the coaching staff. In the season opener, his first catch was a TD, earning the nickname MONEY from his offensive coordinator. Mims lead the conference and rank 5th nationally in punt return average.  His senior season 2000, he displayed versatility at Split-end, Flanker, Slot, kickoff return and emergency DB. Mims's professional experience include; 2005 Tennessee Valley Raptors in  AL (United Indoor Football); Black Hills Red Dogs, SD (UIF), 2002 Detroit Fury AFL mini camp.    


Mims received a Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship from Northern Michigan University, Marquette, MI, April 2001 and has training in the U.S. Army (Combat Engineering)Regional Training Institute - Devils Lake, ND 1999 and U.S. Army Primary Leadership ,Camp Shelby - Hattiesburg, MS, 1998. Mims is also a member of the http://AFCA.com (American Football Coaches Association). Mims brings diversity and balance to the new CUAA program.

Source:  http://www.eventsetter.com/pr/THEJEH/events/116030.html


Joel Popa Image
Joel Popa - Assistant Coach - 1st Season
Coach Popa comes to Concordia University from Walled Lake Western High School where he served as as a Varsity Wide Receivers coach.  Coach Popa started coaching in 1998 with the Walled Lake Braves youth football organization.  Coach Popa played his college football at Central Michigan University.

Darryl Warner Image
Darryl Warner - Assistant Coach - 1st Season

Dr. Darryl Warner earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from Hillsdale College (1985-1989). He was a two sport scholarship athlete (Football & Track and Field) during his four years at Hillsdale College. He was a member of Hillsdale's 1985 NAIA National Championship football team. As a member of the track and field team at Hillsdale Dr. Warner held several records in the 55 meter and 300 meter dash and was a top ten finisher at several indoor and outdoor NAIA National Track and Field Championships. Dr. Warner was four time Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (G.L.I.A.C.) champion in the 100 & 200 meter dashes.

Following his career at Hillsdale Dr. Warner earned a Master of Science Degree in Clinical Behavioral Psychology from Eastern Michigan University in December, 1992.After several years of working in community mental health Dr. Warner earned a Doctoral Degree in Philosophy (Educational Psychology) from Wayne State University in December, 2003. He specializes in the development and implementation of positive behavior supports in schools for children with special needs. Dr. Warner published a research article titled "Positive and Negative Outcome Expectations, Drinking Contexts and Alcohol Consumption among undergraduate students (2004). He has served as a consultant and key note speaker on topics regarding the implementation of anti-violence and anti-bullying programs throughout several public schools and college campuses in the state of Michigan in today's schools, and maximizing your potential in the classroom and athletic field (presented to high school and college students).  

Dr. Warner is currently employed as a School Psychologist in Dearborn Public Schools where he has been employed since 1999. Dr. Warner served as the head Freshmen football coach at Dearborn high School for three years (2005-2007) and game day assistant for Dearborn's varsity football for the past five years. Dr. Warner served as a volunteer coach for the varsity football team at Willow Run High School between 1999 through 2002.

Andrew Fretz Image
Andrew Fretz - Grad Assistant - 1st Season
Coach Fretz comes to Concordia University from Eastern Michigan University where he played offensive guard.  Coach Fretz was named the team Co-Captain by Head Coach Ron English.  Fretz was also named Offensive MVP.  Coach Fretz played his high school ball at Kalamazoo Central High School. 

Coach Fretz will be coaching the offensive line for the Cardinals and will serve as a Graduate Assistant.

Brett Rude Image
Brett Rude - Grad Assistant - 1st Season
Coach Brett Rude comes to Concordia University by way of Albion College.  Rude was a 4 year letter winner under Coach Craig Rundle.  Rude played offensive and defensive line at Albion and was named Team Captain, Offensive Lineman of the Year, and All-Conference player in the MIAA.

Coach Rude played his high school ball at Waterford Kettering.  He begins his coaching career as a Graduate Assistant with the Cardinals.
 
Cardinal Scoreboard
Monday, Sep 6
Football
Concordia at 37
Defiance College 14
Defiance College JV
recap
Saturday, Sep 11
Football
Concordia vs 1:00pm
University of Michigan (Club) EST
University of Michigan Flint @ Ann Arbor Huron High School River Rat Stadium