Northern Iowa Extends Contract of Head Coach Ryan Jacobs

The following release information was issued by Northern Iowa and information and photo courtesy of Northern Iowa…

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa — Following another record-breaking season on the diamond, UNI head softball coach Ryan Jacobs has received a two-year contract extension through the end of the 2028 season.

Jacobs, who was named the Panther head coach ahead of the 2008 season, has notched 464 wins in his 16 seasons at the helm of the UNI program, ninth most all-time in Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) history. The Panthers have posted eight seasons of 30+ wins under Jacobs, qualified for the NCAA Regionals twice (2013, 2021), won one MVC Tournament championship in 2013 and claimed four MVC regular season crowns (2012, 2017, 2022, 2023).

“In the last few seasons, Coach Jacobs has taken Panther softball to heights not seen before in school history,” said UNI Director of Athletics David Harris. “Under his leadership, UNI has quickly become the premier softball program in our conference having clinched back-to-back regular season championships, and re-written our record books with historic runs and phenomenal play on the field. We’re thrilled to have him as our head coach and for the chance for him to continue to develop our student-athletes both on and off the field.”

During his tenure at UNI, three Panthers have earned MVC Players of the Year honors in Sammy Bunch (2019, 2021), Emmy Wells (2022) and Mya Dodge (2023). UNI pitchers have also been dominant in the Jacobs era with four MVC Pitchers of the Year honorees in Jamie Fisher (2012), Alyssa Buchanan (2017), Kailyn Packard (2021) and Samantha Heyer (2023). Jacobs’ staff has also been honored as the MVC Coaching Staff of the Year six times, including each of the last three years (2009, 2012, 2017, 2021-23).

The 2023 Panthers finished with a 39-12 record as part of a historic campaign en route to a second straight MVC regular season title, which featured a school record 18-game winning streak and program-best 26-1 record in league play. UNI led the MVC in multiple statistical categories, including batting average (.321), doubles (96), home runs (73), home runs per game (1.88), on base percentage (.418), runs scored per game (6.82), shutouts (14), slugging percentage (.569), strikeout-to-walk ratio (4.48) and walks drawn (199). Leading the nation with 1.88 doubles per game, the Panthers also outscored their opponents 348-123 on the season, including 232-43 in conference play.

“I’m grateful to David Harris, our Senior Women’s Administrator Stacia Eggers and UNI President Mark Nook for the unwavering confidence in our staff and program,” said Jacobs. “The past two seasons have been a remarkable journey for our program claiming its place atop the MVC standings in consecutive seasons, and I’m truly excited for the opportunity to continue to build this program alongside our committed staff and student-athletes. I am proud to be a Panther and for the chance to represent my alma mater in the community and on the NCAA Division I softball stage and can’t wait to step back onto the diamond for next season!”

Prior to his time as head coach at UNI, Jacobs served as head softball coach at Cedar Falls High School (2004-07). He was also an assistant baseball coach for the Panthers from 2001 until 2005, and also coached at Cornell College in 1999.

A native of Cedar Rapids, Iowa and 1998 UNI graduate, Jacobs played catcher for the UNI baseball team for two seasons after transferring from Kirkwood Community College, and previously Iowa Wesleyan College. He also played one season of independent league baseball with the Richmond Roosters.

Jacobs currently resides in Cedar Falls with his wife, Kelley and daughters, Haley and Emma.

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