For three years during one of the most successful periods of FIU baseball, Tommy Duenas manned the back of home plate for the Panthers as an All-American catcher.

Now Duenas is back home as the Panthers new volunteer assistant coach.

After spending the previous two seasons as the director of external baseball operations for the Panthers, Duenas begins his first season as an FIU coach on the diamond where he excelled.

"It's home," said Duenas of FIU. "This is where I grew up and where my career started. From being a walk-on here to being an All-American to getting drafted and to be back here and have my kids on the field where I played is the best feeling in the world."

Duenas played at FIU from 2000-02 and was part of the only FIU team to reach an NCAA Super Regional. In 2001 FIU defeated Notre Dame to win the Notre Dame Regional. The Panthers advanced to the Super Regional against Southern California where the Trojans won the series.

During his time at FIU, Duenas hit .343 for his career and is seventh all-time in slugging percentage with a .597 mark.

In his 2002 junior season, Duenas became a Rawlings/ABCA All-American after hitting .387 with 17 doubles, three triples, 12 home runs and 57 RBI.

Duenas was drafted in the 16^th round by the Los Angeles Angels in 2002 and played seven years in professional baseball in the Angels, Kansas City Royals and Colorado Rockies organizations and reached the Triple-A level.

In 2004, Duenas hit 21 doubles and 10 home runs with the Angels. He had a career-high .297 average, 19 doubles, 14 home runs and 54 RBI with the Royals in 2006.

"It was a no-brainer to bring back a person that is so familiar with FIU baseball," said FIU baseball head coach Mervyl Melendez. "But also someone who was very instrumental in the year that FIU went to the Super Regional. Tommy's had a real good career at FIU and also in professional baseball. He brings a wealth of knowledge and but more than anything else he knows what we are trying to do at FIU and where we are trying to go."

Not only is Duenas familiar with FIU baseball from a playing standpoint but as the director of external baseball ops the last two years he has observed how the program is run.

"I believe the time he spent with us in the office will be instrumental in the success of our team," Melendez said. "He understands us looking from the outside in on our philosophies and the way we handle the team, practices, game management. He will bring a different dynamic."

Duenas spent six seasons as an assistant coach at Miami Dade College, one of the top junior college programs in the nation. From 2011-16, Duenas served as the hitting, catching, baserunning and third base coach. He was also in charge of calling pitches.

Duenas helped lead the Sharks to the NJCAA JUCO World Series National Championship game in 2014, after winning the NJCAA Florida State Tournament, along with two Southern Conference championships. 

Among the more than 30 MDC players drafted by MLB organizations during Duenas's time were outfielder Brian Goodwin (Washington Nationals' supplemental first round) and catcher Victor Caratini (Chicago Cubs second round pick).

Duenas also served as an associate scout for the San Diego Padres for six years from 2011-2016.

Melendez said Duenas will work with FIU catchers and assist hitting coach Jered Goodwin with the batters. Duenas will also coach baserunning and help pitching coach Dax Norris, a former catcher himself with the Atlanta Braves and Houston Astros, with throwing programs.

"To work with this staff in the same uniform I played in is unreal," Duenas said. "Then to have the players that we have is the icing on the cake. It's real exciting to be back home and wear the best uniform I've ever worn again."