Head Coach

Neil Lerner

Neil Lerner enters his third season as Golden Bear head baseball coach in 2022 after being named to the role in June 2019.

Lerner was elevated from the associate head coach position and has been an assistant in the Concordia baseball program for 12 years overall.

In his first season at the helm, the Golden Bears compiled a 7-6 in 13 games before seeing their season cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In addition to his experience in the Concordia baseball program, Lerner also posted a winning record as head coach at Hopkins High School where he led the Royals for eight years (2006-13) to a 120-81 (.597) record including three Classic Lake Conference championships, a pair of Section 6AAA championships for two berths to the MSHSL Class AAA State Baseball Tournament.

"Neil is a tremendous coach and educator. He is extremely passionate about teaching the game of baseball as well as life skills," said McKenzie. "Neil and I first met in 1992 when he was a sophomore starting for his Hopkins varsity team and I was an assistant coach at Minnetonka High School. He was a fierce competitor and brings the same passion and tenacity to his coaching. He is upbeat, positive and excels in the areas of defense and base running. He is organized, detailed and a leader. He's been here since the start of our transition to NCAA Division II and I look forward to continue working with him as he leads CSP baseball moving forward."

Lerner was part of McKenzie's original coaching staff in Concordia's first Division II baseball season in 2000, helping the program capture its first NSIC baseball championship in 2003. After his run at Hopkins, he returned to the Barnes Field dugout in 2014 and helped the program to a pair of NSIC Tournament runner-up finishes (2016 & 2018) along with posting the single-season NSIC wins record for the program a pair of times with 20 league wins (2014 & 2016).

"I am thankful for the opportunities Concordia-St. Paul has provided me since the year 2000, specifically the wonderful relationships I have been able to form with players, alumni and CSP staff," Lerner added. "As head baseball coach, my goal is to continue building these relationships in addition to doing everything I can to assist our student-athletes in having a positive experience both on the field and in the classroom."

While his impact on the baseball program working alongside McKenzie has produced concrete results, Lerner's background as an educator and continuing role at Concordia as a professor in the education department at the graduate level enhance what he brings to the program.

"Neil has long been a key piece in the continued success of our baseball program and he is more than ready to lead this team moving forward," said McAthie. "His proven experience both as a coach and administrator are tremendous values to our staff and the young men that he will develop."

A coach and professor, Lerner also has extensive experience as an instructor and clinician, leading numerous private and group lessons as well as being a featured speaker at several high school coaches clinics.

Prior to his full time appointment as associate head coach in 2018, Lerner was working full time in the Hopkins School District as a junior high school social studies teacher and Dean of Students.

He earned his degree in social studies education and coaching at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota in 1998 where he was a two-time All-MIAC performer on the diamond. Lerner is the school's all-time leader in walks, second in stolen bases and third in runs scored. A senior captain, he earned All-America and All-Midwest Region honors for the Oles.

On top of his degree from St. Olaf, Lerner holds a master's degree in teaching and learning from St. Mary's University. He is also a Concordia alum, earning an education specialist advanced degree with a K-12 principal's license from CSP.

Originally from New York, Lerner has been a Hopkins School District resident since moving to Minnesota during his youth. He still resides in the school district today with his wife, Kate. They have a daughter, Sonia and a son, Max.