The group of new graduate assistant coaches within the Concordia Athletic Department includes the following individuals listed below. Each GA coach is in his/her first season with their respective programs. Based on recent history, it’s likely many of these young coaches will advance to full-time coaching positions and enter a vocation of service to student-athletes.
James Bailey – Football
Hometown: Austin, Texas
Alma Mater: Fresno State University
Master’s Program: Coaching and Athletic Administration
What excites me about the opportunity I have at Concordia is using my skills and what I have been taught from my past coaches and pass it along to the players about football and life as well. I hope I can contribute all that I have learned from playing and coaching to help bring this team to a championship.
Mark Batoon – Tennis
Hometown: Fort Washington, Md.
Alma Mater: Bluefield College
Master’s Program: Business Administration
I am excited to work with the tennis team, explore new places and work towards a winning season with the Bulldogs. I hope to use my experience as a former student-athlete to connect with the players so that they may be able to give their absolute best on and off the court.
Tristen Edwards – Softball
Hometown: Murrieta, Calif.
Alma Mater: University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Master’s Program: MBA
I am excited for the opportunity to be a part of something bigger than myself and to continue to be around softball in this new capacity. I am hoping to share my passion, knowledge and experience with this group. There is so much learning and growing to do and I am looking forward to getting started!
Mellonee Hall – Women’s Soccer
Hometown: Beavercreek, Ohio
Alma Mater: Wilmington College
Master’s Program: Coaching and Athletic Administration
I am excited about my opportunity at Concordia for a lot of reasons. After serving as an assistant coach/intern at my alma mater, Wilmington College, for two years, I was very ready to get out and do something new. As a new graduate assistant at CUNE, I am still learning the ins and outs of my day-to-day tasks. I think after two weeks of preseason and the first two live matches under my belt, I feel I am finally getting the hang of how things operate. I love the workplace environment--everyone has been so friendly and welcoming. Because the atmosphere and campus here at CUNE remind me so much of Wilmington, the integration into the Bulldog family has been super smooth. I am very excited to dust off my time management skills now that schoolwork is back in play on top of my GA work and daily training sessions. I hope I can give to Concordia what the institution and its staff have already given to me: encouragement, stability, reliability and a passion for athletic and academic success.
Sophia Harano – Track & Field
Hometown: Lincoln, Neb.
Alma Mater: University of Sioux Falls
Master’s Program: School Counseling
I am excited about this opportunity because I get to return to coaching. Track & Field/XC has been such a huge part of my life for the last 15 years and I feel incredibly blessed to continue my journey with the sport. I am excited to get to know these athletes throughout the year and watch them grow into the people God made them to be. I am honored to be a part of the Concordia Nebraska Track and Field/XC legacy and contribute to the future success of the team.
Kaci Hohenthaner – Volleyball
Hometown: Council Bluffs, Iowa
Alma Mater: Concordia University, Nebraska
Master’s Program: Sports Marketing
Learn more about Kaci by reading our feature on her that was published on Feb. 11, 2021. Find it HERE.
Samantha Liermann – Track & Field
Hometown: Wisner, Neb.
Alma Mater: Concordia University, Nebraska
Master’s Program: Coaching and Athletic Administration
I am excited to be back at Concordia because it’s always felt like home to me. The team has a strong history of excellence and success. I look forward to helping carry on that tradition through coaching some great athletes. I am eager to help mold our athletes not only into successful competitors, but individuals as well. Concordia has already given so much to me, I hope I can pass that along to all the athletes I get to work with.
Russell Malterud – Shooting Sports
Hometown: North Branch, Minn.
Alma Mater: Concordia University, Nebraska
Master’s Program: MBA
Learn more about Russell by reading his website bio HERE.
Chevy Stout – Strength & Conditioning
Hometown: Grand Island, Neb.
Alma Mater: Concordia University, Nebraska
Master’s Program: Coaching and Athletic Administration
I am incredibly blessed to be a Strength and Conditioning GA here at Concordia. After playing football here for four years and knowing how great of a S&C program we have, I am honored to be involved with this program. This opportunity excites me because I know Coach Berner will provide me with a true S&C coaching experience. It also excites me that I can continue my education while doing something I love and working with all the amazing people here at Concordia. I hope to contribute by having a positive coaching presence for the athletes in the weight room and to help them achieve their goals.
Tanner Wauhob – Baseball
Hometown: Sioux City, Iowa
Alma Mater: Concordia University, Nebraska
Master’s Program: Coaching and Exercise Sciences
An alum of the baseball program, Wauhob pitched for the Bulldogs from 2016 through 2019. To learn more about Tanner, click HERE.