Augustana University Athletics

John Prater enters his second season as a graduate assistant coach on the Augustana coaching staff. He will continue to help coach the outside linebackers.

Before joining the Viking staff, Prater enjoyed a solid playing career at the University of Wyoming. As a senior in 2007, Prater alternated starts at inside linebacker. In the process he accumulated 68 total tackles, which was fifth on the team. He also had 1 sack, 1 pass broken up and 1 forced fumble.

During his junior season in 2006, Prater was ninth on the club in tackles with 36.

Prater broke in with the Cowboys in 2003. The only true freshman linebacker to see action that season, Prater appeared in 9 games. He came back in 2004 to register 32 tackles. He was slated to be a starter in 2005, but an injury forced him into a medical redshirt.

Football runs in the Prater family. His brother Kyle, currently plays for LSU. His father John played at Kansas and is now a high school coach in Texas, while his grandfather John, Sr., played at Baylor. In addition, his uncle Dean played at Oklahoma State.

A native of Kerrville, Texas, Prater earned a bachelor’s degree in Communication from Wyoming in 2008. He is currently working towards a master’s degree at Augustana.

Prater lives in Sioux Falls with his wife Gwen and their son Johnny.