SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) - The Savannah State University (SSU) Tigers have a new head coach for the baseball team.
SSU Athletics announced the hiring of Florentino "Tino" Burgos as the new head coach of the Tigers’ baseball program. Burgos brings years of experience in the game to this team. He was most recently the head coach at Florida Memorial University (FMU), where he spent eight seasons, leading the Lions to their most successful era of baseball in program history.
“Becoming the head baseball coach at Savannah State University is more than an opportunity,
it’s a calling to lead, inspire, and elevate young men both on and off the field,” remarked Coach
Burgos. “Together, we will build a culture of excellence, resilience, and pride that represents the
very best of Tiger Nation.”
During Burgos' time with FMU, the team was one of the best baseball programs among Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and was an extremely competitive program in The Sun Conference, often referred to be the toughest baseball conference in the NAIA.
Burgos led FMU to the 2023 Black World Series championship with a 5-4 win over Albany State.
“We are excited to have someone of the caliber of Tino Burgos to lead our baseball program,”
remarked SSU Director of Athletics Opio Mashariki. “Our search for a new coach required us to do a deep dive to find someone who will continue the success of the program, and I am confident that we have found that person in Coach Burgos.”
Burgos replaces Carlton Hardy who resigned in August and accepted the head baseball coaching position at Alcorn State.
Savannah State is coming off a 2024 season that saw them finish with an overall record of 31-17. The team represented the SIAC at the 2024 NCAA Division II Baseball Tournament.