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.
