SAN ANTONIO - The University of the Incarnate Word Athletic Director, Dr. Richard Duran, announced the hiring of Nick Zaleski as the new Baseball Head Coach on Wednesday evening. Zaleski comes to UIW after serving as an assistant coach at Tarleton State University for two seasons (2023-2025). He brings nearly 16 years of experience in college baseball to the table.
"I'm very pleased to welcome Nick Zaleski and his family to UIW," said Duran. "We were looking for a leader who could take our program to the top of the Southland Conference and beyond, and I believe Coach Zaleski is that person. He will support our student-athletes and ensure the program's culture continues to align with UIW's Mission. I want to thank all those involved in the national search for our new Baseball Head Coach, and I am looking forward to working with Coach Zaleski as he guides our student-athletes to be the best versions of themselves on and off the diamond."
"First off, thank you to Dr. Evans, Dr. Duran, and JR Pulido for the opportunity to be a part of the UIW community and lead the baseball program," said Zaleski. "My wife, Amy, daughter Avery and I are excited to be in San Antonio. I am grateful for the opportunity to shepherd the baseball program and the young men that will be associated with it now and in the future. Our organization will do our best to cultivate and foster an environment of excellence along with exemplifying the University's core values."
Serving as the hitting coach and recruiting coordinator, Zaleski helped Tarleton State thrive, as the Texans became the first baseball program from a reclassified Division 1 institution to win a conference tournament title in 2024. The Texans won the WAC Tournament in Mesa, Arizona, as 5-seed Tarleton State knocked off 4-seed California Baptist.
Within 16 years of college baseball, Zaleski has won nine championships as a coach and player. Zaleski began his collegiate coaching career in 2013 as a volunteer assistant coach at crosstown rival UTSA.
In 2016, Zaleski began his stint at conference foe McNeese as an assistant coach for four seasons. He was then promoted to associate head coach and offensive coordinator for his final four seasons. Throughout his eight years as a Cowboy, the baseball program appeared in two NCAA Regionals, won two Southland Conference regular-season championships, and earned two league tournament titles.
Zaleski has also been part of the two longest winning streaks in the Southerland Conference tournaments, the first during his time as a player at Sam Houston State and the second as a coach for McNeese.
The former Bearkat stands alone as the only person to win three consecutive championships in the history of the Southland Conference as a player and coach. During his eight seasons in Lake Charles, Louisiana, McNeese led the Southland Conference in total hits, total doubles, total home runs, total bases, batting average, and fielding percentage. The Cowboys ranked second in the conference in total runs, total triples, total RBI, and total stolen bases.
Zaleski had a hand in the success of the top two hitters in the history of Cowboy baseball, Payton Harden and Joe Provenzano, as well as the leader in all-time steals for McNeese, Reid Bourque. During his time coaching in the Southland Conference, he assisted in guiding players to receive awards such as SLC Pitcher of the Year (2023), SLC Player of the Year (2022), SLC Relief Pitcher of the Year/Louisiana Pitcher of the Year (2022), SLC Pitcher of the Year (2022 and 2021), Rawlings Gold Glove winner (2019), SLC Hitter of the Year (2017), and the National Stolen Bases Leader (2017).
Before his career at McNeese, Zaleski spent three seasons with the Roadrunners of UTSA, where he worked with the infielders and offense. During this time, his coaching efforts led to some of the top offensive numbers in the Western Athletic Conference, as well as Conference USA, and one of the top 10 offenses in program history at UTSA.
In Zaleski's first year at UTSA in 2013, the Roadrunners had their most successful season since 2008, with an overall record of 35-25. They advanced to the Corvallis Regional, hosted by Oregon State, after winning the Western Athletic Conference Tournament Championship. The following year, UTSA transitioned into Conference USA and finished the season sitting in the top five in most major offensive statistical categories.
The Sugar Land native spent his collegiate career as a Sam Houston State Bearkat from 2006-09. During his time in Huntsville, Zaleski played a significant role in their three Southland Conference Tournament Championships and three NCAA Regional appearances, including the 2007 Oxford Regional Championship game. In 2009, Zaleski claimed the single-season batting average record at Sam Houston after hitting .419. During this time, Zaleski received a Ping! Baseball honorable mention All-American and was named the Bearkats' Most Valuable Player.
Zaleski played professionally in the Toronto Blue Jays organization from 2009 to 2010.
Over the past 10 years, Zaleski has assisted in coaching or recruiting 28 players who were drafted and four players who signed Free Agent contracts. Out of the 32 athletes who went on to play at the next level, 15 are still actively playing, and three made their way into the majors. Also among his list of successful athletes are 60 All-Conference players, 50 Academic All-Conference players, 29 All-Tournament players, four Academic All-Americans, four Freshman All-Americans, and three All-Americans.
In 2009, Zaleski received his bachelor's degree in marketing from Sam Houston State and went on to earn a master's degree in human performance with an emphasis in sports management two years later from the University of Alabama.
Zaleski is joined by his wife, Amy, and their daughter, Avery.
Team Accomplishments (Player/Coach)
Tarleton State – Assistant Coach
2024 Western Athletic Conference Tournament Champions
McNeese - Associate Head Coach
2022 Southland Conference Champions
2021 Southland Conference Tournament Champion
2021 NCAA Fort Worth Regional Appearance
2019 Southland Conference Tournament Champion
2019 NCAA Nashville Regional Appearance
2017 Southland Conference Champions
UTSA - Volunteer Assistant Coach
2013 Western Athletic Conference Tournament Champion
2013 NCAA Corvallis Regional Appearance
Sam Houston - Student-Athlete
2009 Southland Conference Tournament Champion
2009 NCAA Houston Regional Appearance
2008 Southland Conference Tournament Champion
2008 NCAA Houston Regional Appearance
2007 Southland Conference Tournament Champion
2007 NCAA Oxford Regional Appearance
The Word on Zalenski
Fuller Smith
Tarleton State Head Baseball Coach
"Nick is one of the best baseball minds I have had the pleasure of working with in my fifteen years in this profession. He cares about his players and prepares them for success on and off the field. The University of the Incarnate Word administration hit a home run tabbing him as their next head coach. I am thankful for our time together and look forward to seeing him elevate the baseball program to new heights."
Justin Hill
McNeese Head Baseball Coach
"This is a great hire for the University of the Incarnate Word. Nick is a baseball man and a tireless worker—he's more than ready to take the next step as a head coach. He's loyal, a man of integrity, and a true professional who genuinely cares about his players. I have no doubt that he will continue to succeed and represent UIW in a positive light. I'm so excited for Nick and Amy. UIW and San Antonio are lucky to have them."
Jim Blair
Baylor Assistant Baseball Coach
"Nick Zaleski is one of the best young baseball minds in our region. He is extremely diligent in his work, exceptional at building rapport with players, and his work ethic is off the charts. His personal attributes helped him become an exceptional player at the college level. Those same traits have served him well in his development as a coach through the years. He is one of my favorite players to have had the opportunity to coach, and to coach with, as he has always exuded exceptional leadership qualities. He is a consummate professional and I believe he will do an unbelievable job leading the UIW program."
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