Stetson University Athletics

Shane Gierke was named the 24th head coach in Stetson Baseball history on July 20, 2026… Returned to DeLand after spending the 2026 season as an assistant coach at UCF… Previously spent four seasons on the Stetson coaching staff from 2022-25, eventually serving as associate head coach and recruiting coordinator after being promoted in February 2024… Helped guide the Hatters through one of the most successful stretches in recent program history, including back-to-back ASUN Tournament championships in 2024 and 2025, the 2024 ASUN regular-season championship and consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances. Serving as Stetson's hitting coach and recruiting coordinator during his first stint in DeLand, Gierke helped recruit and develop eight Major League Baseball Draft selections, four All-Americans, one ASUN Pitcher of the Year, one ASUN Freshman of the Year and 12 All-ASUN selections… Oversaw the program's recruiting efforts and scholarship budget while helping build championship-caliber rosters… His work as a recruiter and developer of talent earned national recognition when D1Baseball named him one of its Top 100 Assistant Coaches entering the 2024 season. Gierke spent the 2026 season as an assistant coach at UCF before returning to Stetson as head coach… Helped the Knights post a 32-23 overall record and a 19-11 mark in Big 12 play, tying for third in the conference standings… Contributed to UCF's NCAA Tournament appearance in the Auburn Regional… Eight Knights received All-Big 12 recognition, including three Second Team selections, two All-Freshman Team honorees and three honorable mention selections. Prior to joining Stetson, Gierke spent six seasons from 2016-21 as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Troy… Established himself as a strong recruiter and developer while helping the Trojans produce seven MLB Draft selections, nine All-Americans and 19 All-Conference selections… Troy also produced one conference Player of the Year, one conference Pitcher of the Year and three conference Freshmen of the Year during his tenure… Helped the Trojans earn a berth in the 2018 NCAA Tournament. Gierke began his collegiate coaching career at his alma mater, West Florida, where he served on staff from 2004-15… Worked extensively with the Argonauts' hitters and catchers while also handling recruiting responsibilities… Helped guide West Florida to the 2011 NCAA Division II National Championship, five NCAA Regional appearances, the 2007 Gulf South Conference championship and East Division titles in 2010 and 2011. During Gierke's tenure, West Florida developed into one of the nation's top NCAA Division II programs… The Argonauts produced 13 MLB Draft selections, eight All-Americans, 22 All-Region selections and 54 All-Conference performers… The 2011 national championship team also established itself as one of the strongest clubs in program history while completing West Florida's run to the national title. Gierke brings more than two decades of collegiate coaching experience to the Stetson program… Throughout his career, he has recruited and coached 21 All-Americans, 30 All-Region selections, 85 All-Conference performers and 32 professional baseball players… Has built a reputation as both a recruiter and developer of talent while working extensively with hitters, catchers and overall offensive development… Recognized nationally as one of D1Baseball's Top 100 Assistant Coaches entering the 2024 season. Played at West Florida from 2002-03 before beginning his collegiate coaching career with the Argonauts… Previously competed at Lake-Sumter Community College… Earned his Bachelor of Science in health, leisure and exercise science from the University of West Florida in 2004. A native of Apopka, Fla.… Married to the former Veronica Slover… The couple has a son, Jackson, and a daughter, Shelby.