Kristofer Schnatz enters his third year as head coach for the Panthers after serving as an assistant coach his first four years at PNC.

Schnatz spent his first two years establishing a foundation that is expected to pay off in the 2009-10 season. In his first season as the Panther head coach, Schnatz inherited a team in transition following their record setting perfomance in 2006-07.

Schnatz inherited the team in August of 2007 without a recruiting class and a limited roster due to a late change of coaches. The Panthers finished 5-26 in 2007-08.

After a strong recruiting class the Panthers finished 4-27 in 2008-09, usually starting four freshmen in the rebuilding process. However, the Panthers sported a full roster and established academic stability.

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.

2006-07 marked the first time PNC finished over .500 and the second place conference finish (of six teams) was the highest ever. Schnatz's responsibilities included practice and game coaching, recruiting, scouting and film exchange.

Schnatz began coaching upon graduation from college in 1999. He had been part of successful high school programs in New York, Maryland and Indiana before graduating to the collegiate level at PNC 2003-04.

Schnatz, a native of Long Island, New York, 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 season and led them to their first post-season appearance out of the Skyline Conference as a senior in 1998-99.

Schnatz's full-time job is serving as a captain aboard the Blue Chip Casino vessel in Michigan City, IN. He completed his Master of Science in Sports Administration from Valparaiso University in 2005.

Schnatz currently resides in Chesterton, with his wife, Kristen, and four-year-old twin daughters Lia and Taylor and two year old Aybriel.

Jace Thompson enters his second year as an assistant basketball coach at Purdue North Central. The Indiana native returned to his roots after coaching two years ago at the University of Rio Grande, an NAIA Division II program in Ohio.

In his first year at PNC, Thompson was the top assistant and assisted Coach Schnatz in every phase of the program, including recruiting, academics, scouting and on-floor coaching duties.

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.