John Klacik is in his eighth season as the offensive line coach for the Ave Maria football program.
In 2018, his line paved the way for a successful ground game, one that saw freshman tailback Quino Mauricette set the school record for rushing yards. In fact, AMU’s ground game gained more yards in 2018 than the two previous seasons combined. Also, the pass protection only allowed 1.7 sacks per game in divisional play. Junior left tackle Jack Weston was recognized as a first-team all-conference player, the first such recognition for a Gyrene offensive lineman since 2015.
Klacik's second season saw the Gyrenes run for more than 150 yards per game, as Ave Maria posted a .500-or-better record for the second year in a row. Two of his offensive linemen - Jack Weston and Matthew Hunt - earned All-Sun Division honors. Weston was a First Team selection, while Hunt was named to the Second Team. In his third season, the offensive line for the Gyrenes cleared the way for ten touchdowns during the seven-game season in 2020, and led an offense that scored at least 25 points in each of the team's victories.
Ave Maria ran for more than 180 yards per game during the 2022 season, led by first team All-Conference selection Jose Fernandez. It marked the fifth consecutive season, all under Klacik's leadership, where at least one interior Gyrene earned First Team All-Mid South honors. The Gyrene offensive line powered AMU to a program-record 1581 rushing yards in eleven games in 2021. Another lineman, Bennett Landry, earned Second Team All-Division honors. The success running the ball continued in 2023, as the offensive line cleared the way for running back Bryan Stiemke to shatter most AMU rushing records. Klacik's offensive line again helped Stiemke claim All-Conference honors in 2024.
Klacik brought more than 20 years of Division I coaching experience with him when he arrived at AMU. Klacik spent 15 seasons at Youngstown State in a variety of roles, including Offensive Line Coach and Offensive Coordinator. During those 15 seasons, Youngstown State won four Division I-AA (now FCS) national championships. Klacik also served as the Offensive Coordinator at Miami University (Ohio) for four seasons. Prior to his time at Miami, he served as the head coach at his alma mater, Lock Haven University, for six seasons.
Klacik—who also coached at Wake Forest University—earned his degree in fitness management.
