Florentino “Tino” Burgos joined the FMU family as head baseball coach in the summer of 2016.
During Burgos’ tenure, the FMU’s baseball program has developed into one of the best teams among historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCU) and has grown to be a highly competitive in The Sun Conference – often referred to as the “toughest baseball conference in the NAIA”.
In 2023, Burgos won the Black College Worlds Series championship, defeating the NCAA Div. II school Albany State 5-4.
In addition to the many FMU players selected for the Sun Conferences' All-Conference Team since 2018, more than 10 FMU players have received the Sun Conferences' All-Academic Team honors each year, demonstrating the culture of academic excellence that Burgos has established.
In 2019, FMU Baseball achieved a No. 1 ranking in the Black College Nines National HBCU Baseball Poll for the first time in their history and Burgos was named HBCU Coach of the Year by Black College Nines. That year, FMU finished the season tied for third in the Sun Conference and reached the Sun Conference Tournament for the first time in over 15 years.
Since 2018, the Lions have consistently been ranked in the top 10 of the Black College Nines Small School Division. In 2021, FMU was chosen to compete in the HBCU World Series in Alabama.
In 2019, Nick Herfordt of PG College Ball stated, “the FMU Lions might be the best HBCU baseball team, regardless of division," which is a statement to the growth of FMU Baseball under Burgos’ leadership.
Burgos attended high school and playing baseball at Dade Christian School, where he was a three-time all conference player, a two-time First Team All-Dade County player, a first time Second Team All-County and a two-time All-State. In 1997, Coach Burgos finished in the top three for Florida Gatorade Player of the Year. Burgos played his freshman year at perennial junior college baseball powerhouse, Seminole State College in Oklahoma, and his sophomore year at perennial baseball powerhouse Miami Dade College playing under the legendary Hall of Fame Lloyd "Zero" Simmons and the legendary Steve Hertz respectfully. Burgos finished his last two years of college at FIU, playing under Coach Danny Price. The Panthers would make two regional trips and one super regional bid during Burgos’ time as a Panther. 2001 Burgos was an All-Tournament team selection in the Coral Gables Regional and he would also be a key contributor in the FIU Panthers’ 2002 run, which included an upset of No. 1 Notre Dame in the South Bend, IA regional.
Burgos went on to sign professionally, and played a couple of injury-plagued seasons of independent league baseball in the Frontier League. In 2003, Burgos would have his best season in professional baseball, making the Frontier League All-Star team. After being released and signing to play with the Portland Kings in Oregon, Burgos hung up his cleats and came home to begin teaching at Thomas Jefferson Middle School, where he was named Teacher of the Year in his second year. A year later, he took an opportunity to be the head baseball coach at North Miami Beach Senior High School. Two years later, Coach Burgos was chosen to start a baseball program at a new school – Hialeah Gardens Senior High School. In addition to coaching and teaching, he served as the Chair of the Social Science Department for eight years. As a high school coach, Coach Burgos won Coach of the Year honors, three district titles, and two regional bids. Numerous players moved on to play collegiate baseball, with two signing to play professionally.
Tino Burgos is a native of South Florida and is the youngest of three to father William Sr. and mother Paula Burgos, both of whom were born in Puerto Rico. Burgos has been married to Jessica Garcia Burgos for 11 years. They live in Miramar, Florida, with their two dogs, Dozer and Marley.
