Kristofer Schnatz enters his second year as head coach for the Panthers after serving as an assistant coach for the previous four seasons.

In his first season, Schnatz inherited a team in transition that had many changes following their record setting perfomance in 2006-07. The Panthers will have a whole new look this year with Schnatz's first full recruiting class following a 5-26 record last season.

During Schnatz's time as an assistant under former coach Grayling Gordon, the Panthers steadily improved. The 2006-07 season culminated with a 15-14 overall record and 6-4 finish in the CCAC after winning just three games in 2002-2003. It was the first time PNC finished over .500 and the second place conference finish (of six teams) was the highest ever. His responsibilities included practice and game coaching, recruiting, scouting and film exchange.

Despite his youth, Schnatz began coaching upon graduation from college in 1999 and had been part of successful high school programs in New York, Maryland and Indiana.

Schnatz is from Long Island, New York and earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Marine Transportation from the State University of New York Maritime College.

Schnatz enjoyed a successful playing career for the Maritime Privateers. He was a three year starter, a team captain by his junior year and led them to their first post-season appearance out of the Skyline Conference.

Schnatz is a captain aboard the Blue Chip Casino vessel in Michigan City . He completed his Master of Science in Sports Administration from Valparaiso University in 2005. Schnatz currently resides in Chesterton, with his wife, Kristen, and three-year-old twin daughters Lia and Taylor and one year old Aybriel.

Jace Thompson enters his first year as an assistant basketball coach at Purdue North Central. He returns to his Indiana roots after coaching last season at the University of Rio Grande, a Division II NAIA program in Ohio.

Besides his on-floor coaching duties at Rio Grande, Thompson oversaw all aspects of the basketball program, including film exchange, travel arrangements, recruiting and game day operations.

Prior to his stint in Ohio, Thompson coached five seasons at the high school level in Indiana. In his last two years, he worked at Culver Academies, a private boarding school in northern Indiana for two years.

While at Culver Thompson served as a counselor and worked with both the girls and boys basketball team for a season each. As the varsity assistant for the boys team they attained their first winning season in 13 years.

Before coaching at Culver Thompson coached at Daleville High School in Daleville, IN for three years. He was a head junior high and freshman level coach and was a JV and Varsity assistant.

Thompson, a native of Linton, IN currently resides in Valparaiso. He earned his Bachelor's Degree in Undergraduate Studies from Ball State University and is currently working on his MBA at Purdue North Central.