Jad Prachniak Extends Contract Through 2030
Jad Prachniak, the head baseball coach at the University of North Alabama, has agreed to a contract extension that runs through the 2030 season, with a club option that could keep him in charge through 2031. The deal comes on the heels of a historic 2026 campaign in which the Lions posted a 30‑win record, captured a share of the ASUN Gold Division title and set new program benchmarks.
The 2026 season will be remembered for more than just wins. The team posted a .974 fielding percentage, hit 85 home runs and reached the ASUN Championship Final for the first time in school history, with three games stretching into extra innings. Six players — Nash Rippen, Dylan Coleman, Will Millard, Wes Walker, Petey Craska and Jackson Westmoreland — earned All‑ASUN honors, underscoring the depth of talent Prachniak has cultivated.
Program legacy and future
Prachniak’s staff, including pitching coach Nick Patten, hitting coordinator JD Davis and assistant Jacob James, has been credited with shaping a culture that blends technical excellence with player development. University leaders Dr. Josh Looney and Dr. Ken Kitts praised the coach’s leadership, noting that his impact extends beyond the diamond to the broader academic community.
The extension reflects the university’s confidence in a program that transitioned to Division I in 2018 and has steadily climbed the national ranks. With 87 career wins at UNA and a legacy that includes two Division II national championships at West Chester, Prachniak is positioned to guide the Lions toward sustained success in the ASUN and beyond.
The contract not only secures continuity but also signals a long‑term vision for the program. As the Lions aim to build on their recent milestones, the university community looks forward to an era where championship aspirations are matched by institutional support.