JACKSONVILLE – Jacksonville State Head Coach Steve Bieser rounded out his baseball staff with former Missouri volunteer coach Tyler Packanik and bringing Tyler Silkwood, a former head coach on the junior college level at Parkland College to the Jax State program.
Packanik follows Bieser from Columbia, Missouri after spending three seasons under Bieser with the Tigers. He will serve as the recruiting coordinator for the Gamecocks and direct the defensive alignment. Silkwood will serve as the director of baseball operations and player development for Jax State baseball.
Packanik worked extensively with the Tigers' defense, especially on the infield. He also oversaw Mizzou's instruction on the base paths.
"Tyler (Packanik) will serve Jax State as recruiting coordinator as well as specialize in our team's defensive development. Tyler is a high energy recruiter who has a ton of passion to teach and coach," said head coach Steve Bieser. "Tyler brings great experience through the many roles he has served in the past. We are very fortunate to have him on our coaching staff," added Bieser.
Prior to coming to Mizzou, Packanik served as the director of personnel and video coordination at Stetson (2018-20), where he spearheaded the scouting and film efforts for the team. In his role, he analyzed Stetson and opponent film and scouting reports, collaborated with the coaches in preparation of competition strategy, and prepared opponent scouting reports. He also gathered all information and data, using FlightScope, DiamondKinetics and BATS systems, to ensure all systems are being implemented into coaching and recruiting.
"I want to thank Coach (Steve) Bieser for the opportunity to join his staff at Jacksonville State University. My family is excited to be a part of the Gamecock nation," said Tyler Packanik. "With the facilities, the athletic department support and the staff that Coach Bieser has assembled we believe Jacksonville State has a chance to be a premier program in the country."
He also served as a volunteer assistant coach at Bucknell from 2017-18. He was tasked with coaching the infielders and assist with hitters, as well as serving as the Bisons' first-base coach and managing infield alignment. He also assisted by serving as camp coordinator (prospect and team camps). Originally from Plant City, Fla., Packanik graduated from Marietta College in 2016.
Silkwood brings head coaching experience to the staff after serving as head coach of the Cobras of Parkland College in Champaign, Illinois.
Silkwood joined the Cobra coaching staff in the spring of 2021, serving as head coach for two seasons. Parkland College went 77-36-2 under Silkwood, including 40-23-1 in conference play. A former Parkland College pitcher from 2019-2020, he produced one NJCAA DII First Team All-American (Austin Gomm), five members of the NJCAA DII Region 24 All-Region Team and the M-WAC All-Conference First Team (Keenan Taylor, Cole Evans, Alex Pipes, Austin Gomm, Chase Becker), and three M-WAC All-Conference Second Team selections (Mitch Mueller, Nick Gregory, Jackson Blemler).
"Anthony (Silkwood brings a unique and diverse background to our program that deserves immediate respect. He brings great leadership and passion to our program and will serve our team in many facets heading up our baseball operations, said Bieser. "His service for our country and time as a Head Coach at Parkland will prove invaluable to all our student-athletes. I am really excited that he is at Jax State."
In the two years Silkwood headed the Parkland College Baseball program, 31 student-athletes transferred on to continue their academic and athletic careers at four-year schools.
"I am fired up to be joining a coaching staff at a place with so much history and tradition especially during the Coach Jim Case era," said Anthony Silkwood. "I believe in coach Bieser's message and direction he is looking to lead this program, and the staff that has been assembled to do that. I'm fired up to serve the people of Jax State. The people here make you realize that Jax State is truly the friendliest campus in the south."
Originally from East Alton, Illinois, Anthony Silkwood was a sergeant tank commander in the Marines Corps for five years, stationed in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina prior to his playing career. In 2014 Silkwood deployed to the Middle East, and his stops included Oman, Jordan, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. During the deployment, the Marquette High School alum was responsible for vehicle checkpoints and a security team. Silkwood, the son of Joe Silkwood, a standout player, coach, and minor leaguer for the St. Louis Cardinals, spent three summers coaching the newly created Yard Goats travel baseball team in Central Illinois.
