Stetson University head baseball coach Steve Trimper announced on February 5, 2024, the promotion of Shane Gierke to become the Hatters' Associate Head Coach. Gierke was originally hired on July 23, 2021, and has been an integral part of the team since then, notably serving as Stetson's recruiting coordinator.
Trimper expressed his admiration for Gierke's contributions, stating, "Since Shane joined us in the summer of 2021, he has not only excelled in working with our hitters and catchers but has also elevated our program to an elite level through his recruiting efforts with quality student-athletes. Shane is perhaps the most tireless worker I have ever surrounded myself with. His infectious personality, coupled with his tenacious work ethic, will undoubtedly contribute to Stetson baseball reaching new heights. This promotion is well-deserved!"
During the 2024 season, the Hatters improved to 41 wins while winning both the Atlantic Sun Conference Regular Season and Tournament Championships. Stetson earned its first NCAA post-season appearance since 2018 competing in the Tallahassee Regional. The offense led by Gierke, continued to reach new heights during the Trimper era, eclipsing every major category except for the school record home run production in 2023. Gio Cueto, yet another catcher developed by Gierke, signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers, while highly acclaimed freshman centerfielder, Kyle Jones, became the 30th Hatter to earn Freshman All-American status.
Having excelled in his role as an assistant coach, Gierke's efforts were recognized when he was named one of the top 100 assistant coaches by D1 Baseball ahead of the 2024 season. He is responsible for coaching the catchers and directing the offense for the Hatters.
The 2022 Stetson recruiting class was ranked in the Top 40 nationally by Perfect Game. The 2023 Hatters set a school record for home runs while also compiling the most runs, most hits and highest single season batting average during head coach Steve Trimper’s seven seasons. The team’s 35 wins were the most since the historic 2018 season. Gierke was instrumental in the development of Catcher Christian Pregent signing with the Mets as a 10th-round draft pick.
Prior to his arrival in Deland, Gierke spent six seasons (2016-2021) as the lead assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Troy University. Gierke previously worked for 12 seasons as Assistant Head Coach at the University of West Florida, his alma mater. The Argonauts captured the 2011 NCAA Division II National Championship.
While at Troy, Gierke quickly established his recruiting ability by signing talented players from both the high school and junior college ranks. Those players include 2018 fifth-round draft pick Brandon Lockridge (Yankees), 2018 10th-round draft pick Matt Sanders (Mariners), 2018 29th- draft pick CJ Carter (Marlins), 2020 fourth-round draft pick Levi Thomas (Padres), 2021 eleventh-round draft pick Logan Cerny (Phillies). He also recruited pitcher Andrew Crane, who ended his career as the all-time Sun Belt Conference career ERA leader. The 2018 signing class was ranked in the top 50 nationally and the second best in the conference.Â
Gierke recruited a freshman All-American in four consecutive seasons in Rigsby Mosley (2018), Logan Cerny (2019), William Sullivan (2020), and Garrett Gainous (2021). Additionally, Gierke coached back-to-back All-American catchers Chase Smartt (2019) and Caleb Bartolero (2020). During his six seasons at Troy, the Trojans produced nine All-Americans and 17 All-Sun Belt Conference players. He recruited and coached 10 players who signed with a professional organization.
Gierke was also credited with developing outstanding hitters while at Troy. Over his six seasons, the Trojans established several offensive team records and ranked in the top five in most categories. The 2018 team appeared in the NCAA Regional in Athens and was led by Matt Sanders (school record 90 runs scored), Joey Denison (school record 81 runs batted in), Brandon Lockridge (school record 7 triples). The team records in 2018 include first in triples, 3rd in stolen bases, 4th in hits, 5th in doubles and 3rd in fielding percentage in school history.
For eight years, Gierke served as the Assistant Head Coach/Recruiting Coordinator for the University of West Florida and oversaw catcher development and hitting instruction. Gierke’s recruiting efforts at UWF were highlighted by several major league prospects and five NCAA Regional appearances. He recruited all 11 Argonauts that have been drafted by major league teams, including five players in 2011 after the team’s national championship season.
In 2011, the Argonauts won the NCAA Division II national championship and set school records in runs (449), hits (638) and walks (267). As a team, UWF batted .326 and averaged 7.4 runs per game, led by All-Americans Greg Pron and Brandon Brewer.
The Argonauts also hit .306 in 2009 and .315 in 2010, two of the top offensive seasons in school history. In eight seasons with Gierke as hitting coach, the team has batted at least .290 every year except one, produced 36 All-GSC position players and advanced to the NCAA Tournament five times.
Gierke played two seasons for the Argonauts from 2000-02. Shane is a native of Apopka, Fla., and he is the son of Carolyn and Chip Gierke. His father was a legendary high school baseball and football coach in the Central Florida area for over 40 years. His brother, Casey, a former player and assistant coach at UWF, is currently coaching high school baseball in Central Florida. Shane’s brother, Brad, was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in 1996 and later went on to play football at Appalachian State.
Gierke is married to the former Veronica Slover and has a son, Jackson, and a daughter, Shelby.
