Stetson University announced this week that Shane Gierke will take over as the program’s new head baseball coach, returning to the role he previously held as associate head coach and recruiting coordinator.
A new era for Stetson baseball
His appointment follows the departure of Steve Trimper, who stepped down after a ten‑year run that included the Hatters’ first NCAA Super Regional appearance in 2018.
The university highlighted Gierke’s deep ties to the program, noting that he spent the most recent season on the coaching staff at UCF before coming back to DeLand.
Under Trimper’s leadership, Stetson captured back‑to‑back ASUN Tournament titles in 2024 and 2025, cementing the team’s status as a regional powerhouse.
Gierke brings a proven track record of player development, having recruited and coached 21 All‑Americans, 85 all‑conference selections and 32 professionals during his tenure at Stetson.
His recruiting acumen was recognized nationally when D1Baseball named him one of the top 100 assistants for the 2024 season, and the 2022 recruiting class earned a spot among the 40 best classes in the country by Perfect Game.
A native of Apopka, Gierke honed his skills at Dr. Phillips High School in Orlando, where he played under his father, Chip Gierke, on the school’s first state championship baseball team.