Mike Ridaught
It didn’t take long for Gainesville High to find its next head baseball coach.
University of Miami grad Adrian Ramos, who has been actively instructing and/or coaching in the area for the past 10 years, takes over for Chris Malphurs, who had coached the Hurricanes since 2017.
“It’s quite the honor,” Ramos said. “I’m extremely excited to work with the young men and develop student-athletes for the next level, be it in the classroom or on the field. It’s a great opportunity to share the lessons I’ve learned over the years which will hopefully act as a guide as they move forward in their own lives.”
You might call it destiny for Ramos.
“Coincidentally, the GHS mascot is the Hurricanes and having graduated from the University of Miami it felt in some ways like destiny—now I’m a Cane through and through,” Ramos said. “The decision to take the role was made even easier after having met the staff and getting a feel for their sense of pride and commitment to the students and athletes.”
Ramos played his high school ball at Sandra Day O’Connor in San Antonio, Texas, from 2001-2004.
Among his list of accomplishments was being named to the 2003 5A Texas Sportswriter’s 1st Team All-State team as a designated hitter, and the San Antonio All-City Super Team as a shortstop.
He was also a 1st Team All-State selection in 2004 and was named to the Texas Academic All-State Team his senior season.
Initially, he was recruited and received an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy as a shortstop/third baseman. Upon sustaining injuries, Ramos transferred to the University of Miami where he began to focus on coaching.
While in Coral Gables, his duties as coach included carrying out the daily practice plan, working closely with hitters on various drills/techniques, and participating in the annual Coach Jim Morris Baseball Camp in which a couple hundred kids of all ages would attend for three to four weeks.
He wouldn’t necessarily say that coaching was something he always envisioned, but there is one thing that was a constant for Ramos.
“I’ve just always wanted to be around baseball,” he said. “Wherever I am in my professional career I’ve tried to carve out space for the game I love. I figured as long as I did that maybe one day an opportunity would present itself and fortunately, it did.”
Ramos, who has been a private Instructor in the North Central Florida region since 2012, has experienced a variety of coaching opportunities over the past 13 years.
In 2009, he was an assistant coach/statistician with the Midland Redskins (Cincinnati, Ohio) where he worked closely with athletes recruited from around the country. All were primarily Division I commits, including some currently in Major League Baseball.
He was the associate head coach at Newberry High School in 2017-18. The Panthers (16-10) were 5A-District 5 runners-up and made a state playoff appearance that year.
As the head coach of Elite Baseball in Gainesville from 2015-2019—where he coached multiple teams with ages ranging from 13-18 years old—he won multiple championships through the USSSA organization.
He served as manager and player developer for ProBall Baseball Academy in Newberry from 2019-2021.
Ramos assisted in the management of business operations, i.e. lesson tracking, facility scheduling, coach/staff meetings, while also maintaining regular communication with players and families to ensure an organized and successful season.
As a veteran private Instructor, Ramos has focused on the physical and mental aspects of the game. He takes a balanced approach per session in covering quickness/agility, defense and hitting.
Each session is tailored to the individual and their athletic ability, and also with consideration for any current struggles at the plate or on the field.
He serves as a mentor in navigating the process of high school to college baseball, so he brings a lot of value to GHS and will serve the Purple Hurricanes in multiple ways.
Ramos said he’s been getting a lot of support in his new role with the ‘Canes.
“I left our discussions feeling like I’d have all the support in the world from the administration and boosters, as well as my own family,” he said. “I’m fortunate to have a wife who recognizes my passion and pushes me to make the most of my coaching abilities, and a daughter who can’t wait to get out there and run the bases.”
His parents are also in town, as well as his brother and his family, father-in-law, and an aunt and uncle.
“It really is a blessing to have all this support and continue to bring that sense of family to the GHS community,” Ramos said. “I really can’t say enough how excited and thankful I am for this opportunity.”
GHS, which finished 11-14 this past season following a loss to Ridgeview (Orange Park) in the 5A-District 3 quarterfinals, will be holding open workouts on Saturday, July 23, and Saturday, July 30, from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. This is open to GHS students and incoming freshmen already registered with the school.
“Now that I have the chance to lead an organization like GHS, I fully intend to put my experience to use and hopefully build a program and environment which athletes and their families are excited to be part of,” Ramos said.