Jad Prachniak was named the 11th head baseball coach in University of North Alabama history on June 23, 2022, becoming just the second head coach of the Lions during the program’s Division I era. Entering his fourth season in 2026, Prachniak has steadily guided the program through continued growth at the Division I level. After incremental improvements in 2023 and 2024, the Lions broke through in 2025 with a 24–31 overall record and a 16–14 ASUN mark — the program’s highest win totals in Division I and its first ASUN Tournament appearance. Despite opening the season with 34 consecutive road games due to construction of Mike D. Lane Field, the team secured its first postseason win at the Division I level and won seven series, six in conference play.
Prior to arriving in Florence, Prachniak built a national reputation during a nine-year tenure as head coach at Division II West Chester, where he compiled a 273–127–1 record and captured NCAA Division II national championships in 2012 and 2017. A two-time Division II Coach of the Year, he also claimed two regional titles and three PSAC Eastern Division crowns, becoming the youngest Division II coach to win two national championships. Prachniak previously served as associate head coach and recruiting coordinator at Delaware and spent six seasons at William & Mary as pitching coach and recruiting coordinator. A Rhode Island graduate and former team captain, Prachniak and his wife, Kelly, have one daughter, Emilia.
