Maslowski, a former WKU standout linebacker who started on WKU's 2002 I-AA National Championship team, has coached the last two seasons at Miami (Ohio). Pratt worked the previous 11 seasons on the Kent State coaching staff including the last two as the Golden Flashes offensive coordinator. Pratt also worked as KSU's recruiting coordinator for seven seasons, and was named the Mid-American Conference's 2009 Recruiter of the Year by Rivals.com.
"I am very excited to have Karl and A.J. join our staff," Taggart said. "Karl returns to his alma mater, where he had tremendous success as a student-athlete, and now his unique perspective and experiences will help us to turn out more Karl Maslowski's. A.J. has had great success as a coach and recruiter, and he will have a positive impact on our program in many ways. These are two great additions for WKU."
Maslowski was a four-year letterman for the Hilltoppers (2000-03) who started the final nine games for the 2002 I-AA National Championship team and ranked third on the team in both total tackles (95) and solo tackles (60) while tying for team-high honors with five forced fumbles. In the national title game, he had an interception on McNeese State's first drive that led to WKU's first touchdown and a lead they would never relinquish.
He was named team Most Valuable Player as a senior in 2003 after starting all 13 games and leading the team in sacks (9) while ranking second in total tackles (127) and solo tackles (82). Maslowski also was named third-team All-American by the Sports Network and Football Gazette and first-team All-Gateway Conference in addition to earning honorable mention conference all-academic honors.
Maslowski worked the previous two seasons with Miami University's football program as a graduate assistant. He worked primarily with the defensive backs in 2009 and helped the RedHawks rank second in the Mid-American Conference and 27th nationally in passing defense (190.4 ypg.).
Prior to coming to Oxford, Maslowski coached outside linebackers and defensive ends from 2006-07 at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts. In 2007, the Holy Cross defense ranked first in the Patriot League in four statistical categories. In 2005, Maslowski spent time in Australia coaching a semi-pro team and a high-school-aged squad in Melbourne and also assisted with the Junior National Team in Brisbane.
Maslowski was a student assistant coach at WKU in 2004. As a prep, his Lincoln-Way High School team in New Lenox, Illinois won the Illinois High School Association's 6-A state championship.
In addition to serving as Kent State's offensive coordinator in 2009, Pratt also mentored the Golden Flashes wide receivers. Freshman quarterback Spencer Keith ranked sixth in the Mid-American conference in passing efficiency (126.72) and seventh in total offense (223.1 ypg.). In 2008, Pratt's first season as the offensive coordinator, he also coached the team's tight ends and KSU's national offensive ranking improved more than 50 spots. KSU saw its offensive production increase by more than 30 yards and four points a game from the previous season, while the KSU rushing game ranked 11th in the nation.
In 2007, Pratt worked with the offensive tackles and tight ends, while concluding his tenure as recruiting coordinator. He also handled some of the play-calling duties during the year.
Pratt was named the Mid-American Conference's 2009 recruiter of the year by Rivals.com. As the recruiting coordinator, Pratt helped assemble some of the top classes in Kent State history, including seven players currently on NFL rosters (Shawn Bayes/Oakland Raiders, All-Pro Joshua Cribbs/Cleveland Browns, Julian Edelman/New England Patriots, Daniel Muir/Indianapolis Colts, Rico Murray/Cincinnati Bengals, Jack Williams/Denver Broncos and Usama Young/New Orleans Saints). Pratt has also signed over 30 players out of Hargrove Military Academy (Va.) in the past 10 years.
Under Pratt's tutelage, former Flash tight end Brian Bell went on to sign a free agent contract with the Washington Redskins in 2007. Prior to becoming a full-time assistant at Kent State, Pratt was the program's offensive graduate assistant during the 1999 season. Offensive tackle Gus Parrish was signed to a free agent contract by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2009 after being recruited by Pratt and playing three years under his tutelage.
Pratt spent the 1998 season as the offensive coordinator at Kenton (Ohio) High School. He helped lead Kenton to the school's first state playoff appearance and first league championship in 50 years, while the team's quarterback led the state in passing under his guidance. He was also an assistant coach at Reynoldsburg (Ohio) High School for two years from 1996-97.
Pratt graduated from Capital University in 1998 with a bachelor's degree in history and political science with an education certification. He then went on to earn his master's degree in sports management from Kent State in May of 2007.
A native of Portsmouth, Ohio, Pratt and his wife, Keriann, have a son, Alexander, and daughter, Olivia.
