Now in his 24th season (no season was held in 2020-21 due to Covid-19) with the Cerritos College men’s basketball program, Tito Ortiz is also in his 14th year as a member of Russ May’s staff. A coach with over 30 years of experience, Ortiz has provided a multitude of services to the Falcon staff over the years. He has spent time as a recruiter, as well as with the day-to-day operations of the program. As a graduate of Mayfair High School, Ortiz was a two-year participant in both basketball and football. He earned all-league honors in basketball before transferring to Cerritos College and then Cal State Dominguez Hills, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in kinesiology and completed his Master’s in Educational PE from Azusa Pacific University.

Ortiz began his coaching career at Paramount High the year after he graduated from high school, and spent three years with the Pirates. He then moved on to Cal State Dominguez Hills, where he coached with both former Falcon head coach Gary Cain and former Falcon assistant coach Tony Carter-Loza. After four years with Cal State Dominguez Hills, Ortiz became an assistant coach at Cal State Los Angeles until his arrival on the Norwalk campus.

Ortiz is the proud parent of a son, Nico Ortiz, who earned a scholarship to the University of Arizona as a team manager for the men’s basketball team.