University of Northern Iowa Athletics
Jacobs Earns Contract Extension
6/23/2021 11:38:00 AM | Softball
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – Coming off of the first at-large bid to the NCAA tournament in program history, UNI head softball coach Ryan Jacobs has been signed to a two-year contract extension which will keep him in the dugout through the end of the 2026 season.
Jacobs and his staff were named the Missouri Valley Conference Coaching Staff of the Year for the fourth time in his tenure and the Panthers won 30 games for the sixth time under Jacobs' leadership.
"Coach Jacobs has led this team through the toughest stretch in program history and came out on the other end with one of the best seasons we've ever had," Director of Athletics David Harris said. "It was inspiring to see the way this team responded after having its season canceled a year ago. Ryan's leadership was an integral part of that success and we are thrilled to keep him in purple."
Sammey Bunch earned her second MVC Player of the Year honor and Kailyn Packard was named the Valley Newcomer and Pitcher of the Year. The Panthers finished second in the regular season by virtue of winning percentage, but won three more games than any MVC team and won two of three games against first-place Illinois State.
The Panthers fell in MVC title game but earned an at-large bid after earning wins over four teams in the NCAA tournament field. It was the Panthers' second NCAA appearance since Jacobs took over. The other came in 2013 when the Panthers won the MVC title to earn the tournament appearance.
"I want to thank David Harris, President Nook, and Christina Roybal for their support and confidence in our coaching staff and softball program," Jacobs said. "Our student-athletes have done great things on and off the field, and are ready to keep the momentum with the continued support. I am proud to be a UNI Panther, I have always been excited to be a part of this university and everything about it. The people here are awesome, the community is a great place to live, and our student-athletes are committed to hard work. That is something we can all be proud of and take credit for."
Prior to his time as the head coach at UNI, Jacobs was the head softball coach of Cedar Falls High school. He was an assistant with the UNI baseball team from 2001-05 and also coached at Cornell College.
A Cedar Rapids native, he was a 1998 graduate of UNI. He played catcher for the Panthers in 1997 and 1998 after transferring from Kirkwood Community College. He began his playing career at Iowa Wesleyan College. He played one year of independent league baseball for the Richmond Roosters.
Jacobs and his wife, Kelley, reside in Cedar Falls with their two daughters, Haley and Emma.
Jacobs and his staff were named the Missouri Valley Conference Coaching Staff of the Year for the fourth time in his tenure and the Panthers won 30 games for the sixth time under Jacobs' leadership.
"Coach Jacobs has led this team through the toughest stretch in program history and came out on the other end with one of the best seasons we've ever had," Director of Athletics David Harris said. "It was inspiring to see the way this team responded after having its season canceled a year ago. Ryan's leadership was an integral part of that success and we are thrilled to keep him in purple."
Sammey Bunch earned her second MVC Player of the Year honor and Kailyn Packard was named the Valley Newcomer and Pitcher of the Year. The Panthers finished second in the regular season by virtue of winning percentage, but won three more games than any MVC team and won two of three games against first-place Illinois State.
The Panthers fell in MVC title game but earned an at-large bid after earning wins over four teams in the NCAA tournament field. It was the Panthers' second NCAA appearance since Jacobs took over. The other came in 2013 when the Panthers won the MVC title to earn the tournament appearance.
"I want to thank David Harris, President Nook, and Christina Roybal for their support and confidence in our coaching staff and softball program," Jacobs said. "Our student-athletes have done great things on and off the field, and are ready to keep the momentum with the continued support. I am proud to be a UNI Panther, I have always been excited to be a part of this university and everything about it. The people here are awesome, the community is a great place to live, and our student-athletes are committed to hard work. That is something we can all be proud of and take credit for."
Prior to his time as the head coach at UNI, Jacobs was the head softball coach of Cedar Falls High school. He was an assistant with the UNI baseball team from 2001-05 and also coached at Cornell College.
A Cedar Rapids native, he was a 1998 graduate of UNI. He played catcher for the Panthers in 1997 and 1998 after transferring from Kirkwood Community College. He began his playing career at Iowa Wesleyan College. He played one year of independent league baseball for the Richmond Roosters.
Jacobs and his wife, Kelley, reside in Cedar Falls with their two daughters, Haley and Emma.
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