Hempstead, NY - Chris Rojas, who is in his fifth year on the Hofstra baseball staff, has been promoted to associate head coach it was announced today by Head Coach Frank Catalanotto. 

"This is a well-deserved recognition for Chris," said Catalanotto. "Having been with him for many seasons here and also at NYIT, I know how good of a coach Chris is. His knowledge of the game extends far past his work with our pitchers. He is a tireless worker and this new title reflects his value to our program."

Rojas, a former professional baseball player and assistant coach at New York Tech and Long Island University, joined the Pride staff after spending the 2021 season as a volunteer assistant at Long Island University. He was also part of the staff at New York Tech from 2018 to 2020, where he guided the Bears pitching staff and was part of the 2019 College World Series squad.

In his first season at Hofstra, Rojas helped coach the team to the 2022 Colonial Athletic Association title and a berth in the NCAA Regionals. He oversaw a pitching staff that won 30 games, the second highest total in program history. Starters Brad Camarda and Mark Faello won eight and seven games, respectively, which are tied for second and third on the Pride's single season list. In 2024 he mentored sophomore starter Carlos Martinez, who would go on to earn First Team All-CAA accolades. He also oversaw the conversion of star closer Michael O'Hanlon into a top of the rotation starter and catcher Mike McKenna into a closer who set the Hofstra single season record for saves with 11 in 2024.

In 2024, Rojas served as pitching coach for Team Navy at the 16U/17U National Team Development Program at the USA Baseball National Training Complex in Cary, North Carolina.

A veteran of professional baseball, Rojas pitched in the minor leagues for nine seasons, spent two years in the independent leagues, and one season in the Venezuelan Winter League. He also represented Puerto Rico in the inaugural World Baseball Classic in 2006.

Rojas compiled a 66-61 record during his professional baseball career. He appeared in 221 games and made 173 starts, recording 802 strikeouts in 992 2/3 innings of work. Rojas reached the AAA level with the San Diego Padres and Philadelphia Phillies organizations. He was the Pitcher of the Year in 2001 with the Padres High-A affiliate (Lake Elsinore) and again in 2005 with the Phillies organization after spending the year at both the AA and AAA level.

Following his retirement from professional baseball, Rojas worked in the private sector. He also served as an associate scout for the Arizona Diamondbacks organization from 2011 to 2012.

After joining the staff at New York Tech in July 2018, Rojas paid immediate dividends as he helped lower the staff ERA from 5.74 in 2018 to 4.09 in 2019. The staff's batting average against also dropped significantly, going from .303 in 2018 to .245 in 2019 as the program won a school-record 37 games that season.

Rojas, who played at New York Tech from 1994 to 1998, holds a degree in psychology from the institution. He also has a master's degree in higher education policy from Hofstra. Rojas and his wife, Paola, have two sons – CJ and Justin.