COACHING STAFF
Chris Duffy
General Manager and Team Coach
Four-year starter in the outfield for the Knights … All-Conference USA performer and First Team All-American in 2010 as a senior by Baseball America, NCBWA, ABCA/Rawlings, Yahoo! Sports, and Louisville Slugger … put together one of the finest seasons in UCF baseball history in 2010, setting UCF and C-USA single-season records with a .447 batting average and .850 slugging percentage, along with a school-record 21 home runs and 81 RBI … still ranks second in the Conference USA record books for batting average (.447) and third in slugging percentage (.850) … was one of five finalists for the USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award, given to the top amateur player in the country … semifinalist for the NCBWA Dick Howser Trophy, awarded to the best collegiate baseball player … ranked among the top 10 in the nation for batting average (4th), RBI per game (5th), slugging (3rd), and OBP (6th) … selected by the Chicago White Sox in the ninth round of the 2006 MLB Draft before electing to attend UCF … drafted again after college by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 26th round of the 2010 MLB Draft. In 2024, Duffy was inducted into the UCF Hall of Fame in recognition of his outstanding collegiate career and contributions to UCF baseball.
Transitioning from the field, Duffy has since taken on the role of a Youth Travel Ball Coach, where he brings his wealth of experience and passion for the game to inspire and develop the next generation of baseball talent. His dedication to mentoring young athletes reflects his continued commitment to the sport and its future.
Bryan De Oro
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Coach Bryan De Oro is a passionate baseball instructor, mentor, and program leader dedicated to developing athletes throughout Central Florida. As the Founder and Head Coach of the Central Florida Gladiators travel baseball organization, he has built a competitive program focused on skill development, discipline, teamwork, and leadership both on and off the field.
In addition to leading the Gladiators organization, Coach De Oro serves as the Head JV Baseball Coach at Foundation Academy in Winter Garden, where he emphasizes strong fundamentals, baseball IQ, mental preparation, and character development. His coaching philosophy centers on helping players grow not only as athletes, but also as confident and disciplined young men.
A former collegiate player at St. Thomas University, Coach De Oro competed as both a first baseman and pitcher, giving him a well-rounded understanding of the game from multiple perspectives. His collegiate experience, combined with years of player development and mentorship, allows him to prepare athletes for higher levels of competition while creating a positive and competitive environment for growth.
Through his leadership, Coach De Oro continues to impact the next generation of players by combining high-level instruction, accountability, and a true passion for the game of baseball.
Jay Magee
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Rafael Armien
Team Coach
Alejandro Armien
Assistant Coach
Renee Matheus
Assistant Coach
John Perdue
Softball Team Manager
Meet John, an outstanding coach with an impressive track record of over four years at Lake Mary Little League. In the Spring of 2022, his team clinched victory in the Tournament of Champions for District 19 and secured the runner-up position in 2023. During the past Summer, John successfully guided the 11U All-Star team in Lake Mary, achieving 2nd place in the State of Florida. Along the way, his leadership earned the team a District Title and Sectional Title. With a deep commitment to nurturing young athletes, John brings a genuine passion for softball, making him a driving force in the development of aspiring players.
Jacob Perdue
Softball Team Coach
Jacob is a dynamic youth sports coach with over seven years of experience coaching softball in Central Florida. Jacob has a passion for developing talent and helping athletes reach their potential on and off the field. He’s a father of two (Jayla, 16 and Gabrielle, 10), undergraduate of UCF and graduate of Nova Southeastern University. When he’s not on the softball field, he enjoys spending time outdoors and with his family.