Florida Tech Panthers

Matt Mercurio joined the Florida Tech coaching staff as an assistant in 2007 and is set to enter his 10th year in 2017. His primary responsibilities include: recruiting, strength and conditioning, and working with the hitters, baserunners and infield position players. 

The program has seen a rise in a number of categories under his guidance alongside head coach Greg Berkemeier. In 2016 alone, Florida Tech topped the Sunshine State Conference in stolen bases (116), while pacing the league in fielding percentage for the second consecutive season (.971).

In addition to fielding percentage, the Panthers also led the SSC in batting average (.336) and on-base percentage (.419) one year earlier in 2015. Furthermore, the Panthers have drastically improved their stolen base totals with Mercurio acting as third base coach, leading the SSC on five separate occasions.  

Through his nine seasons in Crimson and Gray, Mercurio has helped guide Florida Tech to the NCAA South Regional four times, claiming runner-up in 2015 as it also rose to as high as No. 4 in the national polls. Furthermore, he has coached a total of 17 players that have gone onto the professional ranks, including Austin Allen, who recently became the program's highest draft pick when the San Diego Padres selected him in the fourth round (No. 117) of the MLB Draft.  

In his playing days prior to joining Florida Tech, Mercurio was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 38th round of the 2001 MLB Draft out of Avon Park High School. However, he decided to commit to Florida Southern where he was a part of four NCAA South Regional appearances and even won the 2005 NCAA Division II National Championship. Mercurio still holds numerous records at FSC, most notably hits. In 2004, he was a 19th round draft pick to the Baltimore Orioles, but decided to forego a pro career to finish school and round out his career with the Mocassins. Upon graduation, Mercurio was drafted in the 16th round by the Boston Red Sox, and went on to play within the organization for three years.

Mercurio graduated from Florida Southern College in 2005 with a bachelor of science degree in sports management, marketing and finance. He is originally from Sarasota, Fla., but now resides in Melbourne, Fla. with his wife Jen and son Easton.