ORLANDO – UCF head baseball coach Rich Wallace has announced the addition of Shane Gierke to his staff. Gierke will serve as an assistant coach for the program.
Gierke brings a wealth of coaching experience to UCF, as he has 20-plus years of collegiate coaching experience under his belt. He comes to Orlando after spending the past four seasons (2022-25) at neighboring foe Stetson, where he most recently served as the Hatters’ associate head coach and recruiting coordinator. Prior to Stetson, Gierke spent six seasons (2016-21) as the lead assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Troy. He got his start at West Florida, where he worked 12 years as the assistant head coach at his alma mater (2004-15).
“Bringing Shane Gierke on board is a victory for our program," Wallace said. "With over two decades of coaching experience, Shane brings a ton of knowledge, a relentless work ethic, and a proven track record of developing elite hitters and catchers. His success at every stop—whether leading top-ranked offenses or recruiting nationally recognized talent—speaks for itself. But beyond the resume, he is a passionate teacher and a tremendous fit. We are thrilled to welcome Shane, his wife, Veronica, and their children, Jackson and Shelby, to Knight Nation."
During his time in DeLand, he helped the Hatters to back-to-back NCAA Regional appearances, as Stetson competed in the NCAA Tournament in each of the past two seasons (2024 and 2025). He also helped the Hatters surpass the 40-win plateau twice, as the team went 41-22 in both 2024 and 2025. Gierke helped a total of four Hatters get drafted in the 2025 MLB Draft, which included fourth-round selection Lorenzo Meola (Giants).
Gierke led the offense to new heights during his time in DeLand, as the team eclipsed every major category offensively in 2024 except for home runs. Having excelled in his role as an assistant coach, his efforts were recognized as he was named one of the top 100 assistant coaches by D1Baseball ahead of the 2024 campaign. His 2022 recruiting class was also recognized by Perfect Game, as his class was ranked in the Top 40 nationally by the organization.
During his time at Troy, Gierke quickly established his recruiting ability by signing talented players from both the high school and junior college ranks. Those players include 2020 fourth-round draft pick Levi Thomas (Padres), 2018 fifth-round draft pick Brandon Lockridge (Yankees), 2018 10th-round draft pick Matt Sanders (Mariners), 2021 11th-round draft pick Logan Cerny (Phillies) and 2018 29th-round draft pick CJ Carter (Marlins). He also recruited pitcher Andrew Crane, who ended his career as the all-time Sun Belt Conference career ERA leader. His 2018 signing class was ranked in the top 50 nationally and the second-best in the conference.
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, third in fielding percentage, fourth in hits and fifth in doubles in school history.
For 12 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 (at the time), 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 2002-03. Prior to his time at UWF he was a first team all-state and all-conference selection in 2001 at Lake Sumter Community College. Gierke was also on the inaugural state championship team at Dr. Phillips High School in Orlando while playing for his father, Chip.
Gierke is a native of Apopka, Florida, and 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.
About UCF Athletics
UCF is a proud member of the Big 12 Conference. Our mission is to positively transform the lives of our students academically, athletically, and personally through a nationally competitive intercollegiate athletics program that enhances the reputation and visibility of the University. We strive to be Florida’s preeminent athletic program representing UCF and our community with distinction on the national stage as “Orlando’s Hometown Team”. To learn more about UCF and Athletics, please visit our websites at www.ucf.edu and www.ucfknights.com.