Jami Isaacson, Head Coach
Years at Knox: 1999 to present

Education
B.A., History, 1992, Knox College

Experience
Jami Isaacson was named the head baseball coach of the Prairie Fire for the 2000 season. In 2006, Isaacson led Knox to a second-place finish in the South Division of the Midwest Conference. He had five players named to the 2006 First Team All-MWC South Division, including South Division Player of the Year Matt Briggs. Seven Prairie Fire players were named to the All-MWC First Team in 2007.

Isaacson, a 1992 Knox graduate, led his 2003 Prairie Fire team to a third-place finish in the Midwest Conference Tournament and his 2002 squad finished second. In his tenure at Knox, Isaacson has coached two all-region selections (Scott Rans and Matt Briggs).

Isaacson has several years of head coaching experience in the Midwest Conference. He got his head coaching start at Illinois College in 1993-94, when he was hired as the youngest head coach in the NCAA at the time, at the age of 24. He won the 1995 MWC Championship and stayed at Illinois College for five seasons through the 1998 campaign.

Isaacson also assists with the Galesburg American Legion baseball team, a role he has held for six years (1989-92, 2001-03, 2006-present). He has helped the team advance to three state playoff appearances. Isaacson was also the head coach of the Galesburg Pioneers of the Central Illinois Collegiate League (CICL). The CICL is a NCAA/MLB affiliated summer league where the nation's top players compete against each other on a summer circuit.

As a player at Knox, Isaacson was a two-time all-conference catcher, two-time team MVP and the 1991 Midwest Conference Player of the Year.

In December 2006, Isaacson opened the "Hack Shack," an indoor baseball/softball practice facility and academy in Galesburg.

Coaching Philosophy
"Our goal every year is to compete at the national level. To do so requires us to clinch a MWC Championship and receive an automatic berth to the NCAA Regional. Through the commitment of our institution, athletic department, and baseball team, we have made great strides in achieving our goals."

Contact Information
309-341-7456
jwisaacs@knox.edu

Jim Isaacson, Associate Head Coach/Pitching Coach
Years at Knox: 2000 to present

Experience
Jim Isaacson has served as an assistant baseball coach with the Prairie Fire since 2000.

Before assisting for the Prairie Fire, Isaacson was the head baseball coach at Knox College from 1989-1997. He has coached in multiple capacities throughout his career including in the CICL (1972-75), where they were league champs in 1974, and American Legion where he headed 10 state playoff appearances including a state championship in 1971.

Throughout his career, Isaacson has amassed more than 1,600 career wins and he brings a plethora of experience to the Knox baseball program as well as major league baseball experience. He served as a talent scout from 1972-75 for a Jerry Krause led Cleveland Indians program and currently serves in a smaller capacity with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

Shad Steck, Assistant Coach/Middle Infielders and Outfielders
Years at Knox: 2000 to present

Education
B.A., 1998, Illinois College

Experience
Shad Steck has been an assistant baseball coach at Knox College since 2000.

Steck played for Coach Isaacson at Illinois College and brings Midwest Conference baseball experience to Knox as a three-time All-MWC selection as well as the 1997 MWC player of the year. His 1997 year earned him first team All-Region honors as well as honorable mention All-American accolades. Steck is a multiple record holder at both Illinois College and Galesburg High School.

Les Hunter, Assistant Coach/Pitching Coach
Years to Knox: 2004 to present

Education
B.A., 1977, Knox College

Experience
Les Hunter returns to his alma mater as part of the Prairie Fire coaching staff. Hunter graduated from Knox in 1977, where he was a four-year starting pitcher. He joined the coaching staff in 2004.

Originally from Canton, Illinois, Hunter joined the Prairie Fire after retiring from Verizon Wireless. His son is one of the top-rated high school baseball players in the state of Illinois.

Hunter also serves as the Director of the George Washington Gale (GWG) Scholars Program. The program was created by the Galesburg School District 205, Carl Sandburg College, and Knox College in 1996 to enhance the academic preparation and encourage the academic aspirations of talented young people from economically challenged backgrounds.