University of Wisconsin-Superior Athletics

Plachta has coached 30 First Team All-WIAC/UMAC selections, 11 All-Great Lakes Region players and two National Fast pitch Coaches Association All-Americans. Plachta has also received post-season honors himself, as he was named WIAC Coach of the Year in 2002.

Plachta began his coaching career at UW-Superior in 1982 as an assistant coach for the Yellowjacket baseball team.  At that time, he had the opportunity to coach with UW-Superior legend Dom Moselle, whom he also played for in 1980. Plachta held the position until 1985.  At the same time, he also assisted with the Yellowjacket softball team, which was under the leadership of Dr. Russ Smiley at the time. In 1987, Plachta took over the softball program at Esko (Minn.) High School.  With the Eskomos, Plachta amassed 260 wins and was region coach of the year six times.  During his tenure Esko won 12 conference championships, five region championships and qualified for the Minnesota State High School Softball Tournament five times, winning the state championship in 1998. Two of Plachta's players at Esko - Danni Catanzarite and Nikki Flynn were named High School All-Americans.

In 1995 Plachta won the National Girls and Women in Sports Award, which recognizes individuals who are driven to breaking barriers and expanding boundaries in women's sports. Plachta was a finalist for the award again in 2001.

Prior to his coaching career, Plachta excelled as a player on both the baseball and softball diamonds. In 1993 Plachta won a NAFA World Series Championship with Croix Valley Glass out of Stillwater, Minn. In 1998 his team, Interstate Spur, was the runner-up at the 1998 ASA National Tournament. In total, Plachta played in 11 ASA national and three ISC world tournaments. He was a nine-time state champion and was a First Team ASA All-American in 1991 and 1994.

In 2015-16 Plachta began his second tenure as the head women's golf coach at UW-Superior in style, helping the Yellowjackets win the UMAC championship and qualifying for the NCAA Championships, a first in UW-Superior history.

Previously, Plachta guided the program from 2002 until it was suspended in 2008.

Plachta is a Superior native and a graduate of Superior Senior High School. In college Plachta attended UW-Superior and played baseball for the Yellowjackets. He resides in Superior and has three children - Eric, Jamie, and Sarah.