Charpie Announces Promotions, Additions to YSU Baseball Coaching Staff for 2026-27
8/17/2026 2:00:00 PM | Baseball
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Youngstown State head baseball coach Trevor Charpie has announced two promotions and two additions to his coaching staff ahead of the upcoming 2026-27 academic year.
"At Youngstown State, we pride ourselves on being blue collar in everything we do," said Charpie. "This city was built on toughness, work ethic and loyalty, and that's exactly what we want our program to reflect. Getting the right people on the bus is critical, and these men embody what YSU baseball stands for. This staff represents the identity of Youngstown — hardworking, united and relentless. I could not be more confident in the leadership we have in place as we continue building this program the right way."
Two current members of the YSU baseball coaching staff, Jacob Gehring and Rodney Lopez, have been elevated to assistant positions in 2026-27. Gehring, a former two-time All-Horizon League pitcher for the Penguins, will take over as YSU's full-time pitching coach after serving as a graduate assistant on Charpie's staff in 2025-26. Lopez, who will continue to serve as YSU's recruiting coordinator, held the title of Director of Baseball Player Personnel for the past two years.
"Jake has earned this opportunity the hard way," said Charpie. "He has lived it here as a player, he understands the standard, and he has poured himself into developing our pitchers every single day. Jake is tough, he is prepared and he cares deeply about this program. Rodney is the glue that holds this thing together — not just with our players, but with our staff. He brings consistency, energy and accountability every day, and our culture is stronger because of his presence."
Charpie has also announced the additions of Associate Head Coach Errol Robinson and Graduate Assistant Coach Josh McAlister to YSU's coaching staff in 2026-27.
"Adding Errol to our coaching staff is a major move for our program," said Charpie. "Errol's playing experience is elite — 10 years of professional baseball, Spring Training invitations with multiple MLB organizations, and postseason experience at the highest levels of college baseball. He has competed against and alongside some of the best players in the world, and he understands what championship environments demand every single day. As our Associate Head Coach and hitting leader, he will set the tone for our offense and help raise the standard across our entire program."
Robinson, who will serve as YSU's primary hitting coach, arrives in Youngstown with more than a decade of professional and collegiate baseball experience. He most recently served as an assistant coach and the primary hitting coach at Georgetown University during the 2026 season. Robinson, a former sixth-round draft pick by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2016, spent 10 seasons competing at the Double-A and Triple-A levels while earning MLB Spring Training invitations with the Baltimore Orioles, Cincinnati Reds and Los Angeles Dodgers. The Boyds, Md., native played in more than 600 games during his MiLB career from 2016-25.
Robinson began his coaching career in the SEC at his alma mater, Ole Miss, during the 2025 season. The Rebels won 42 games and advanced to the 2025 NCAA Tournament during Robinson's lone season on staff. During the fall of 2025, he served on the coaching staff at Southern University, working with infielders and assisting with hitting.
During his playing career at Ole Miss, Robinson appeared in 186 games as a three-year starter and helped lead the Rebels to the NCAA Tournament in each of his three seasons. In 2014, he helped Ole Miss reach the College World Series with 48 wins, and he was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team after batting .294 over 67 games played and 66 starts as a true freshman. Robinson was tabbed as a Preseason First-Team All-American by D1Baseball.com and Baseball America heading into the 2016 campaign.
McAlister, a native of Flossmoor, Ill., played the final two years of his collegiate career at New Mexico after spending two seasons at Ohio State. He was named to the ABCA/Rawlings Central All-Region First Team and to the All-Mountain West First Team as a senior in 2025. McAlister finished his collegiate career with a .295 batting average over a total of 132 games played and 116 starts as a middle infielder.
"Josh is more than just a young coach — he had an outstanding college career and understands what it takes to produce at a high level," said Charpie. "The way he prepared, competed and performed gives him instant credibility in our clubhouse. He is hungry and driven, and he genuinely cares about player development. Josh is going to invest in our guys every single day and make a major impact on their growth both on and off the field."
As a senior at New Mexico in 2025, McAlister batted .368 and slugged .731 with nine doubles, one triple, 17 home runs and 43 RBIs over 47 games played and 45 starts. He also added 21 walks, 45 runs scored, 125 total bases, a .452 on-base percentage and 14 stolen bases in 15 attempts. McAlister played in 54 games and made 46 starts at Ohio State over the first two years of his collegiate career. He earned his bachelor's degree in liberal arts from New Mexico in 2025, and he is currently pursuing his Master of Business Administration at Youngstown State.
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