University of North Alabama Men's Baseball

With nearly two decades of collegiate coaching experience that includes two national championships as a head coach, Jad Prachniak was named as the new head baseball coach at the University of North Alabama on June 23, 2022. Prachniak enters his fifth season in 2027 with a record of 87-131-1 while at North Alabama. He holds an all-time coaching career record of 360-258-2 that spans across 13 seasons.  Prachniak led the Lions to their first ASUN Championship game appearance in Division I history during the 2026 season. This team became the first during the Division I era to win 30+ games in a season and conclude the year with a winning record. The Lions became the ASUN Gold Division Co-Champion after their stellar season that saw 19 conference wins with four ASUN series sweeps. He had five total series sweeps in 2026, the most in a season during Division I. Prachniak and Co. led the Lions to breaking all-time single season school records like fielding percentage (.974) and home runs (85). The 2026 team simultaneously broke over 10 Division I single season records that include slugging percentage (.466), on-base percentage (.386), batting average (.277), runs scored (407), hits (560), doubles (109), triples (9), putouts (1,529), assists (548) and double plays (43) -- the Lions set new win marks in both overall (31) and conference (19) play.  He coached Nash Rippen to the all-time single season home run mark at 18, a record that had been held since 1989. Formerly, the all-time home run record was set in 1999 with 63 through 57 games -- the 2026 team accomplished their 64th home run during the 43rd game of the season in a run-rule win over Eastern Kentucky, 15-3 on April 26. He led players to multiple Division I records such as Rippen in slugging percentage (.651), Dylan Coleman in hits (73), Rippen and Coleman in runs scored (54), Wes Walker in RBIs (58) and multiple RBI games (17). Prachniak coached five Lions to double-digit home run seasons in Rippen (18), Coleman (16), Walker (15), Petey Craska (12) and Will Millard (10).    After his first two seasons at the helm, the Lions exploded onto the scene during the 2025 season. Playing six SEC teams and three former National Championship teams -- while playing the 2025 National Champion in LSU -- Prachniak and Co. put out a 24-31 overall record with a 16-14 ASUN conference record. The 2025 season saw the highest wins in Division I history and the most wins in conference play -- enough to award them a birth to their first ASUN Tournament appearance in DeLand, Fla. where they secured their first postseason win over North Florida, 14-11. The team won seven series during the season, six coming through conference play. Not only was the team impressive for Prachniak, he also oversaw key player milestones. Senior captain Jonathan Lane finished as fourth all-time in career hits and became the first ever Division I player to do so. Redshirt freshman Petey Craska tied the Division I doubles record and was named to the All-ASUN Third Team. Senior catcher Matthew Delgado broke the Division I single season caught stealing record while being named to the All-ASUN Second Team. Freshman closer Luke Davenport was named unanimously to the ASUN All-Freshman team; Craska was also award a spot on the All-Freshman team. All of these things accomplished, while the new Mike D. Lane Field was under construction and the Lions had to play the first 34 games away from Florence to begin the season.  In his first season with the Lions in 2023, Prachniak helped lead the Lions to a 14-37 record. The Lions enjoyed four series victories, including three in ASUN Conference play. The Lions eight ASUN wins in 2023 mark the most conference wins since 2018, UNA's last season in Division II. He improved that mark in 2024 with an 18-35-1 record and a 10-19-1 mark in league play, setting new Division I highs in both overall and conference wins. Prachniak spent the 2021 and 2022 seasons as associate head coach and recruiting coordinator at the University of Delaware. Prior to that, he spent nine seasons as the head coach at Division II West Chester, leading the Rams to two national championships. He began his full-time coaching career in 2005 and spent six seasons at William and Mary, finishing his time there as recruiting coordinator and pitching coach.   Prachniak is just the 11th head baseball coach in the 91-year history of the sport at UNA, and only the third head coach of the Lions in the last 40 seasons.   He is the second head coach at North Alabama during its Division I era, following Mike Keehn who retired following the 2022 season after guiding the Lions through their four-year transition to Division I. "Adding yet another national champion to our head coaching ranks is a significant step forward for our baseball program and athletic department as a whole," said UNA Director of Athletics Dr. Josh Looney. "Jad blends a background of Division I recruiting and coaching experience, alongside a national championship head coaching resume, that will elevate our program into this new era of North Alabama Athletics. As this search process narrowed, we were able to focus on a competitive pool of finalists who built programs and won championships as head coaches. Jad rose to the top of that group and has risen through the coaching profession while carrying a first-class reputation among his peers.   "I saw Jad's 2017 national championship team compete first-hand as an opposing athletic director within the same conference, and I'm excited he's in our dugout this time around. He is a top-tier competitor with a history of leading teams that are talented, focused, consistent, and disciplined. Most importantly, Coach Prachniak and his teams are respected by the competition. He will write a new chapter of Lion Baseball that will make people connected to our program proud. Jad is well-suited for the road ahead as we build UNA baseball into a consistent and competitive ASUN contender."   "I'd like to thank Dr. Looney for giving me the opportunity to lead a program with such a strong tradition and bright future," said Prachniak at the time of his hire. "The University of North Alabama athletic department has a clear vision for sustained success and I'm looking forward to being a part of it. I was impressed with everything about UNA during my visit, beautiful campus, a welcoming community and genuine people. My family (wife Kelly, daughter Emilia) feel fortunate to be heading to such a special place. Roar Lions!"   "I'm very excited about Coach Prachniak being our next head coach at North Alabama," said former UNA All-American and 12-year Major League veteran Josh Willingham, who served as an advisor to the search committee. "His vision for our program, past success and knowledge of the game are some of the qualities that set him apart. There are great things ahead for our baseball program."   Prachniak compiled a career record of 273-127-1 (.682), while adding two NCAA Division II Regional crowns and three PSAC Eastern Division titles to his ledger. He is responsible for the program's first ever national championship in his first season in 2012 and won his second in 2017. He ranks second in all-time wins as a head coach at West Chester.   The Rams surpassed 30 wins in four of his final five seasons, including a 44-11 season in the national championship season of 2017. Prachniak became the youngest head coach ever to claim two national crowns on the Division II level. He helped four student-athletes earn draft selections, including Joey Wendle, an infielder for the New York Mets.   Prachniak was named the Division II Coach of the Year twice (2012 and 2017) and helped four of his players receive Eastern Division Player of the Year and two Pitchers of the Year.   Prior to West Chester, Prachniak served as the pitching coach and recruiting coordinator for William & Mary. With the Tribe, he helped four pitchers get drafted and had one named the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Co-Pitcher of the Year in 2011 under his tutelage.   Prachniak is originally from Lincoln, R.I., and graduated from the University of Rhode Island in 2005 with a bachelor's degree in kinesiology and a teaching certificate in physical education. As a player, he served as a co-captain for Rhode Island's school-record 35-win season in 2005, capturing the Atlantic 10 Eastern Division title.   He and his wife, Kelly, have a daughter, Emilia.   Jad Prachniak Wins Losses Ties 2026 31 28 0 2025 24 31 0 2024 18 35 1 2023 14 37 0 West Chester (9 Seasons) 273 127 1 All-Time Record (13 seasons) 360 258 2

Nick Patten enters his fifth season with the North Alabama baseball program. He earned a promotion to associate head baseball coach ahead of the 2026 season. During the 2026 season, Patten helped lead one of the best offenses in the Atlantic Sun. The 2026 team led the conference in runs scored (407), doubles (109), home runs (85), RBIs (383), slugging percentage (.466), walks (293) and strikeout to walk ratio (1.49). He coached Nash Rippen to become the most feared hitter in the ASUN as he slashed .321/.651/.464 with 18 home runs to become the programs all-time leader in the category. Patten's offense set the all-time single season home run record mark of 85 while simultaneously breaking seven offensive Division I single season records. That includes slugging percentage (.466), on-base percentage (.386), batting average (.277), runs scored (407), hits (560), doubles (109) and triples (9). Formerly, the all-time home run record was set in 1999 with 63 through 57 games -- the 2026 team accomplished their 64th home run during the 43rd game of the season in a run-rule win over Eastern Kentucky, 15-3 on April 26. He led players to multiple Division I records such as Rippen in slugging percentage (.651), Dylan Coleman in hits (73), Rippen and Coleman in runs scored (54), Wes Walker in RBIs (58) and multiple RBI games (17). Patten coached five Lions to double-digit home run seasons in Rippen (18), Coleman (16), Walker (15), Petey Craska (12) and Will Millard (10).  Patten recently was the hitting coach and co-recruiting coordinator until 2025. He joined the program prior to the 2023 season.  Patten was previously a volunteer assistant coach in 2022 on the staff at the University of Delaware with current UNA head coach Jad Prachniak. "We are fortunate to have Nick join us here in Florence," Prachniak said at the time of hire. "Coach Patten is a dynamic young coach. He has a great understanding of the game, can connect with players at a high level and, most importantly, he is a genuine person who will be invested in the overall development of our student athletes. The experiences Nick gained as an elite collegiate player and professional will be an important resource for our players" Patten said he is excited about the opportunity at UNA.   "I would like to thank Coach Prachniak and the North Alabama Athletic Department for giving me the opportunity to be a part of this great program," Patten said upon his hire. "UNA baseball has a very bright future that I am excited to be a part of. I look forward to working with this group of men, and a program with such strong tradition and dedication to success." Patten rejoined the Blue Hen baseball program for the 2020-21 academic year as an undergraduate assistant while he completed his degree. A 2017 CAA Champion, Patten was selected in the 28th round of the 2018 MLB Draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates and spent two seasons playing in the Pirates organization as a first baseman.   The Butler, Pennsylvania native was a three-time All-CAA selection, earning rookie honors, a first team and a third team in his three seasons.   He is tied for sixth on the Delaware career home runs list with 35 in his Blue Hen career. Patten hit .279 with 130 RBIs, including a .312 batting average as a sophomore and led the conference with 58 runs scored.  

After his first season with the Lions in 2026, Davis led the defense to the all-time mark for fielding percentage of .974 and the most putouts (1,529), assists (548) and double plays (43) during the Division I era for North Alabama.  Alongside Associate Head Coach Nick Patten, Davis coached the team to the all-time single season home run record mark of 85. The 2026 team simultaneously broke seven offensive Division I single season records that include slugging percentage (.466), on-base percentage (.386), batting average (.277), runs scored (407), hits (560), doubles (109) and triples (9). Davis, a Goose Creek, S.C. native, comes by way of the University of Memphis coaching staff where he got hired during this previous summer. He now returns to the conference where he found his footing, the Atlantic Sun, as he previously coached at Eastern Kentucky from 2022-25.   “We are excited to have J.D. join us,” said Prachniak. “His skill set and background have made for a seamless transition. Having a chance to compete against him in previous years, we are fortunate to have J.D. in our dugout now. The addition of J.D. makes us better immediately and sets us up well for future success.” Davis competed with The Citadel and Nicholls State during his four years as a player with 121 total games played. He started every opening day with time played at each infield position. He eventually graduated from The Citadel in May 2020 with a bachelor’s degree in physical education and completed his masters of business administration in the Fall 2021 at Nicholls State.   During that time, he played in two summer leagues – the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League and the Southern Collegiate Baseball League where helped the Mohawk Valley Dogs win a division championship. He briefly served as a volunteer assistant coach at Stratford High School in 2020.   Davis began his coaching career at EKU in 2022 as a graduate manager. He helped serve as an infield instructor and team defense coordinator and was promoted to a full-time assistant by 2023 and even had a hand in recruiting efforts.   In his first season in 2022, he helped lead the Colonels to a conference championship with 38 wins for the season – the most in a season since 1990 for the team. During that same season, Kendal Ewell and Will Brian were nominated for national awards such as the Golden Spikes and NCBWA Stopper of the Year, respectively, while under his supervision.   A plethora of players received awards while under his care, including 2024 ASUN All-Freshman Team member, Tait Nunnally. Nunnally spent the previous two seasons at EKU with Davis before signing with the Lions this offseason.   Davis left Richmond with an ASUN Defensive Player of the Year, multiple players drafted, program records for walks drawn in a season and the winningest two-year period since 1989-90 between the 2022-23 seasons. His final three seasons saw three ASUN tournament berths, being one of four conference teams to accomplish the feat.   During the 2025 offseason, he joined the Memphis coaching staff as a Director of Player and Scouting before landing with the Lions ahead of the 2026 season as an assistant coach.   “I am honored to join the staff here at North Alabama,” said Davis. “My family and I are excited for the opportunity to be part of such a special program and community. I am excited to get work.”  

Head coach Jad Prachniak announced the hiring of former player, Jacob James, to his staff as Volunteer Pitching Coach on July 23 -- on Feb. 11, 2026, James stepped into the full-time role after previous pitching coach, David Mervis, joined the New York Mets organization. In his first season as Pitching Coach, James led two Lions to Division I single season records. He led graduate left-handed relief pitcher Gavin Oswald to eight wins, all out of the bullpen, for most wins by a pitcher and coached right-handed relief pitcher Josh Bowerman to the lowest opponent batting-average at .167.  James — a five-year letterman that graduated in 2024 — was named to the All-ASUN Third Team in 2024 and broke the all-time strikeout record in his final season for the Lions. He appeared in 67 games with 38 starts and earned 11 wins in his time, including five in 2024.   After finishing his career in the purple and white, James signed with the Williamsport Crosscutters of the MLB Draft League. "Jacob was an elite student-athlete for our program and university," said Prachniak, who was announced to a contract extension last week. "His success on the filed speaks for itself; his intangibles are what makes him such a valued member of our team. Jacob was named a two-time captain as a player because of his leadership skills and ability to connect with every person on the roster. Those attributes will serve him well as he transitions into a coaching role. We are looking forward to having Jacob back in our dugout. He will have an immediate positive impact."   James finished the 2024 campaign with an impressive 105 strikeouts in 76.2 innings pitched; the 105 strikeouts is a single-season record for UNA's Division I era.   James holds the all-time career strikeouts record for the Lions with 284. In his final season, he threw two 12 strikeout games against UT Martin and Jacksonville, which holds as a Division I single-game record for the Lions.   "I'm thrilled to officially join the University of North Alabama baseball coaching staff," said James. "After five years as a player in this program and having the privilege to play under Coach Prachniak for the last two, it's an incredible opportunity to now step into this new position surrounded by this coaching staff and athletic department. I'm excited to get to continue pushing the standard and contributing to the next chapter of UNA Baseball. Roar Lions!" The Loretto, Tenn. native joined the staff as the Director of Pitching Development during the summer before being awarded the Pitching Coach position after the departure of David Mervis. A graduate of Loretto High school, James won state championships in both baseball and basketball during his time with the Mustangs. His father, Mike James, pitched for the Lions in 1986-87. 

I played 2 years at Pearl River Community College. While I was there we won the State Championship for the conference and the Region 23 Tournament, getting a bid to play in the NJCAA World Series. I then played 3 years at the University of North Alabama during the transition from Division II to Division I. While at UNA, I broke the single batting average, consecutive games reach base safely, and single season doubles records. After college, I went to play for the Florence Y'alls of the Frontier League. After a short season with the Y'alls, I retired and joined the coaching staff at UNA. My role as a volunteer assistant consists of working with catchers, helping our hitting coach work with players, developing better approaches to nutrition and performance, helping create scouting reports and recruiting.

Pitching Coach at UNA.  1st Season.