FLORENCE, Ala. (February 11, 2026) – University of North Alabama head baseball coach Jad Prachniak announced some changes to his coaching staff this month ahead of this week's season opener, including the hiring of J.D. Davis to his staff as an assistant coach.
 
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.
 
"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."
 
Alongside Davis, two current coaches on staff — Nick Patten and Jacob James — received promotions.
 
Patten has been on staff since 2022 for the Lion program as an assistant head coach; now he becomes the associate head coach. Patten has been a main influence as a hitting coach while helping recruit several key players to the program.
 
"Nick is a symbol of our growth and development as a team," said Prachniak. "He has been at the forefront of our improvement year over year; he has made a positive impact in all areas of our program. Nick has elevated North Alabama Baseball and he checks every box you want from an assistant coach. I'm excited to give him the Associate Head Coach title to better reflect the impact he has on our program."
 
James joined the program during the summer of 2025 as a volunteer pitching coach after he finished his playing career with the Williamsport Crosscutters of the MLB Draft League. James steps into the full-time role after previous pitching coach, David Mervis, joined the New York Mets organization.
 
"Jacob was thriving in his role as the director of pitching development," said Prachniak. "We expect the same as he transitions into the pitching coach role. Having a chance to coach Jacob as a player, his knowledge and competitive makeup always showed up, and those same qualities will serve him well leading our pitching staff. He is a proud North Alabama alum, who is passionate about pressing our program forward."
 
As for UNA's newest assistant coach, 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."
 
Davis joins a UNA staff that earned a 24-31 overall record with a 16-14 conference record en route to the program's first ASUN postseason tournament berth in 2025.
 
North Alabama throws the first pitch of the 2026 season on Friday, Feb. 13 against SIUE at 3 p.m. at Mike D. Lane Field at Bank Independent Stadium.
 
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.