Jad Prachniak

I've known Jad most of my life. He was always someone I looked up to — super competitive, great at everything he did, made it look easy. He was the guy you wanted to be like.

There's one story about Jad and me that I'll never forget. I wonder if he even remembers it.

Fall of 2003. My freshman year, his senior year. URI's intersquad fall series — Navy vs. Keaney — which is about as competitive as it gets. I was the starting pitcher. Warming up in the bullpen, feeling good and ready to go.

As I walked out of the bullpen toward the dugout, Jad walked by me. He slowed down, looked me over with a smirk, and said:

"Eye black, Holmes? You better know what you’re doing out there if you're going to pitch with that on."

I'd worn eye black since I was a kid. All through high school and legion ball. Never thought twice about it.

He didn't try to embarrass me like some would. He looked me in the eye and told me what I needed to hear. One line. Then he walked off.

I nodded, quickly jogged into the dugout, and wiped it off as fast as I could.

I never wore eye black again.

That moment has always stuck with me. Working on this feature with Jad, I realized why. He gave me the truth, trusted me to figure it out, and didn't hold my hand. No long talk. No lecture. Just the message and the trust that I'd figure it out.

Turns out, that's exactly how he coaches.

Jad’s BASEBALL JOURNEY

IN THIS FEATURE, COACH PRACHNIAK BREAKS DOWN:

Here's our conversation.

Take me back to the beginning — Lincoln Little League, Lincoln High School. What do you remember most about growing up playing sports in our town?

Most of my childhood memories are attached to sports in Lincoln. Even before I was old enough to play, I remember going to my older brother Jerzy's games and being around the dugout where my Dad coached in Little League and at Lincoln High School. Growing up, sports was what I looked forward to.

The change of seasons meant it was time for the next sport. Fall was soccer. Winter was basketball. Spring meant the opening day parade walk from St. Jude's Church to Lonsdale for the start of Little League. Summer was more baseball and Saylesville Park for Parks and Rec. We were 30 years ahead of the Pickleball craze.

When did baseball start to get serious for you? At what point did you know it was the path?

I really enjoyed playing high school basketball, but baseball was always number one for me. I realized my best opportunity to play in college would be on the baseball field. My sophomore and junior year of high school, I had a few schools in New England reach out, but it wasn't until the start of my senior year that I was contacted by Coach Frank Leoni at URI. After visiting, everything about it felt like a good fit.

You went from Lincoln High School to URI - what was that transition like, and what did you have to learn quickly to compete at the Division I level?

My first impression was how competitive things were going to be. I remember our first team meeting in the Fall of 2000 — we had 50+ players in that room, and the roster was going to be approximately 30 for the spring. I knew there were older and more talented players in that meeting. My mindset was to show up every day ready to work and be willing to learn.

My welcome-to-college-baseball moment came in a Fall Ball game against Brown. I came out of the pen with the bases loaded, feeling good. The very first pitch I threw was hit about 400 feet for a grand slam. Quick lesson — an 87 MPH fastball down the middle doesn't play at that level.

You were a stud coming into URI, but injuries changed your playing career. How did you process that adversity, and when did you realize that coaching could be your path forward?

I had some arm flare-ups during my years at URI that, looking back, were probably positive. I realized my sophomore year that pro ball was not in my future, but I knew I wanted to stay involved in baseball. I really started looking at the game from a coach's perspective during my last couple years in college.

My freshman and sophomore year, I regretted the way I went about some things. I spent too much time wondering why other guys were getting opportunities instead of focusing on improving myself. I changed my perspective junior and senior year - really trying to be a better teammate and put team success at the forefront.

My senior year, we were very talented. Our rotation had two future draft picks including a young Steve Holmes, and our closer was fellow Lincoln Lion Mick Lefort who signed with the Cubs. We started conference play 1-2, then won 14 straight on our way to an A10 Championship. The team success is what made those years special.

Who was the most influential coach or mentor in your baseball journey, and what specific lesson from them still sticks with you today?

My dad had the greatest overall impact. Playing for him in Little League, he instilled things I still lean on today.

“You have to know the situation."

Simple saying, but it has so many layers on a baseball field. That was instilled in me in the Cardinals dugout, shout out to Luxury Cleaners, proud sponsor of the Red Birds. His other lesson: the other team may beat you on any given day, but they should never be able to say they played harder than you. That is a mindset that can be used at any level of athletics in any sport.

How did your parents support your athletic journey across multiple sports? What did they do right that you'd want today's parents to know about?

My entire family was very supportive. It was fun going to games when my brother Jerzy was playing - whether he was playing for the Spirits in Parks and Rec basketball or in the state championship baseball game his senior year. When my younger sister Janna played in a field hockey state championship game, I came home from URI to watch. Those were full-circle moments for our family.

The biggest takeaway: my parents showed up. If they were able to be at a game, they were there. Now that I have a daughter who is playing youth sports, I see how important that is. Just being there means a lot. I try to pick my spots on when to 'coach' her and understand that her having fun is priority number one right now.

Special acknowledgement to my mom, who exemplified what a supportive parent looks like. As far as I know, Gail K. Prachniak has never been ejected as a fan or coach.

Playing and working under Frank Leoni at both URI and William & Mary - what did you learn from him about building a program that shaped your coaching philosophy?

What Frank did at URI was remarkable - he literally saved a program that was about to be cut in the 90s and built a champion, winning the 2005 Atlantic 10 Tournament Championship.

My biggest takeaways: he led with passion. You could feel how important coaching was to him every single day. He was organized and disciplined in his approach. And he was constantly looking for ways to get better. That is critical to sustaining success.

Winning a national championship in your first year as a head coach at West Chester is nearly impossible. Walk me through that first season - what did you do to build a championship culture so quickly?

That first year was the perfect storm. I was fortunate to walk into a situation with a talented and hungry roster. The group had underachieved the year before and they were highly motivated and coachable.

Our second baseman that year was senior Joey Wendle - the most dynamic college player I have ever coached. Joey set the tone for that team and everyone followed his lead. He played with a quiet intensity and never took a play off. He practiced like he was trying to make the team every single day. Joey would go on to play nine years in Major League Baseball, including a World Series appearance with the Tampa Rays in 2020 and an AL All-Star selection in 2021.

It also helped to have a 6'6" RHP in Joe Gunkel, who threw two complete game shutouts at the World Series - a nine-inning shutout in the opener and another in the National Championship game. Gunkel was the pitching version of Wendle: hyper competitive with an even-keeled presence. He would go on to a 10-year professional career. We essentially had two future big leaguers on that team. That helps.

After winning it all in 2012, what separates programs that win once from programs that sustain excellence?

Each year after 2012 gave me a deeper appreciation for how special that championship was. In 2013, we had to fight just to make the conference tournament. It took time to build back to a championship level.

To win at the national level you need talent - but the separator is building an identity and not doing too much in the postseason. The team that executes fundamentals - bunt defense, base-running reads, backing up bases with purpose - usually wins. Everyone dreams of the big hit, but wins often go to the team that does the small things right.

You thrived as a multi-sport athlete - baseball, basketball, soccer - all the way through high school. But today parents are being told their kid needs to specialize by 12 to have a chance. What's your take on that? What are parents missing?

I would strongly encourage kids to play as many sports for as long as they can. It gives you an opportunity to interact with more teammates, more personalities, and different coaching styles.

My high school basketball coaches - Coach Sullivan, Coach Hauser, and Coach Laboissonniere - taught me lessons that I still use today as a coach, and that was over 25 years ago. With that said, each kid should have the freedom to run their own race and follow the best path for them.

What do parents overvalue in youth baseball? What should they be focusing on instead?

I know a lot of the fun comes on game day - for players, coaches, and parents alike. But from a development standpoint, there needs to be a balance. If you are truly looking to improve as a player, you can get more out of a well-organized one-hour practice than a doubleheader fall ball Saturday.

Youth players should have the freedom to do what is comfortable. The best coaching is sometimes letting them find what works, rather than coaching every rep or chasing perfect mechanics. As players get into high school, getting into the weight room can accelerate development and protect against injuries. A worthwhile investment is finding a local trainer who can put together an age-appropriate workout plan.

After winning two national championships at West Chester, you could have stayed comfortable. Instead, you took on the challenge of rebuilding North Alabama. Why? What drives you as a coach beyond wins and championships?

Some of my best memories - personal and professional - came during my time at West Chester. That is a special place. But timing and opportunity is what often drives professional moves, and I am very fortunate to have a chance to lead the North Alabama program.

The last three years we have made progress. Last season we qualified for the ASUN Conference tournament for the first time in program history. We have a good group of players right now, preparing to open a brand-new $12 million on-campus stadium this season. We are truly writing our own story here at UNA.

How important is it as a coach to have coachable players, good teammates, and competitors?

The more I coach, the more I appreciate those positive characteristics. Being a good person will only make your life and athletic career easier to navigate. Be the player that your teammates are pulling for. Envision the best teammate you have ever played with - and emulate those qualities.

I appreciate what you are doing with this newsletter. Youth sports is the foundation of our future. The more quality people we can keep playing the games, the better tomorrow looks for all of us.

One suggestion for all of us: make the life of referees, officials, and umpires easier. I want every borderline call to go my way too — but speaking to officials respectfully is critical.

If an official does a good job, let them know. The officials are a necessary part of our games and we need to do our part to provide a space for them to grow as well."

One line in a bullpen that he might not even remember helped change my perspective and made me understand exactly where I was.

Two national championships. Two future big leaguers developed. Two-time National Coach of the Year.

Twos are wild.

That's Jad. Making Lincoln proud.

Jad didn't win because he had the most talent. He won because he understood people. He knew when to speak and when to step back. He knew how to get the most out of you and give you the confidence to trust in yourself.

His advice on development is something every parent and coach should hear.

"You can get more out of a well-organized one-hour practice than a doubleheader fall ball Saturday." That says it all.

The best thing you can do is show up for guys, let them play, and trust the process. Jad's story is proof that it works.

Two national championships. A career built on doing things the right way. And a voice that has been in the back of my head since the Fall of 03'.

Jad’s the real deal. Always has been.

Help me keep more kids in the game. If this resonates, please share with another parent or coach.

Thanks for being here. See you next week Inside the Dugout.

-Coach Steve-

Steve Holmes
Founder, Inside the Dugout
2006 MLB Draft | All-American | Youth Coach | Dad