Stephen Shafer serves as the Head Junior Varsity Baseball Coach at Apex High School, bringing decades of coaching experience and leadership to the Cougar program. Originally from Goshen, Indiana, Coach Shafer holds a Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from the University of Louisville and is certified through NFHS Coaching Levels 1–3 as well as the AIC. While his path to coaching was unconventional, working with student-athletes has been a lifelong goal and passion.

Coach Shafer’s philosophy is simple and consistent: every decision is made with the team first. He believes success comes from prioritizing the group over the individual and building a culture rooted in accountability, trust, and shared responsibility. His calm, steady leadership style emphasizes doing things the right way and creating an environment where players understand their role and value within the team.

Prior to joining Apex, Coach Shafer spent 35 years coaching junior varsity and varsity basketball in Orange County Public Schools in Orlando, Florida, gaining experience working with athletes and families across a wide range of backgrounds. What he enjoys most about coaching at Apex is the strong support system of families, players, and fellow coaches who make the program special. Outside of athletics, Coach Shafer enjoys spending time with his grandchildren and growing tomatoes. A fun fact—before stepping into coaching, he had a career as a dentist