Florida Baseball Coach Kevin O’Sullivan Returning From Leave Of Absence
Image credit: Florida coach Kevin O'Sullivan (Photo by Eddie Kelly / ProLook Photos)
Florida coach Kevin O’Sullivan is returning from a personal leave of absence, multiple sources told Baseball America. His return will end a weeks-long stretch in which the Gators operated without their longtime leader.
A formal statement from the university regarding O’Sullivan’s return is expected as soon as Wednesday morning.
O’Sullivan announced on Oct. 22 that he would step away with no timetable for return.
“I appreciate the support of the University and athletic department,” he said in a statement at the time. “I have some personal and family issues that need my full attention at this time.”
Athletic director Scott Stricklin said in a statement that he fully backed the veteran coach, who has led Florida since 2008 and guided the program to its only national championship in 2017.
“Coach O’Sullivan has our full support as he takes the time he needs to focus on personal matters,” Stricklin said. “We appreciate his openness in communicating this decision, and respect his need for privacy.”
While on leave, O’Sullivan remained involved in key areas of the program.
Sources told Baseball America that he communicated directly with Florida commits in early November ahead of signing day. University administrators were aware of the outreach, which served as the first sign of renewed engagement.
O’Sullivan’s return to his full duties atop the program will formalize that progression and restores clarity to Florida’s leadership structure heading into the 2026 season.
After O’Sullivan stepped aside, associate head coach and recruiting coordinator Chuck Jeroloman was appointed acting head coach. That arrangement lasted roughly one week, though, as Jeroloman accepted a position on new Tennessee coach Josh Elander’s staff, leaving Florida without its top recruiter at the height of a critical recruiting period.
Florida’s top-ranked 2026 pitcher commit, righty Denton Lord (ranked No. 64 in the 2026 draft class), flipped his pledge to Mississippi State, while two-way player CJ Sampson signed with Texas A&M.
The Gators moved quickly to fill Jeroloman’s spot on staff, hiring veteran coach Tom Slater, who the university has considered for previous openings, including in 2022 when it ultimately hired now-fourth-year assistant Taylor Black, according to multiple sources.
Slater, who served as acting head coach while O’Sullivan was on leave, brings extensive experience, including previous SEC stops and time in professional baseball. He will remain on Florida’s staff and coach its offense.
O’Sullivan returns to a roster widely viewed as one of the nation’s most talented. Righthander Liam Peterson, the top-ranked pitcher in the 2026 draft class, is set to lead the rotation. Florida also brings back sophomore first baseman Brendan Lawson, the top-ranked college player in the 2027 class, sophomore righthander Aidan King, center fielder Kyle Jones and several other key contributors. Standout transfers, including righty Russell Sandefer, third baseman Ethan Surowiec and catcher Karson Bowen are also expected to contribute heavily.
Florida is scheduled to open its season on Feb. 13 with a three-game homestand against Alabama-Birmingham. O’Sullivan, however, is set to serve a three-game suspension that will keep him from the dugout for the series.
The university-imposed discipline stems from a June incident in which O’Sullivan berated NCAA officials and East Carolina student-athletes in an expletive-laced tirade at the Conway Regional that drew widespread criticism, including from Coastal Carolina coach Kevin Schnall, the NCAA, Stricklin and even Hall of Famer Chipper Jones.
“This is a national champion coach who thinks he can come in here and try to bully people around,” Schnall said. “Disappointed. Disappointed somebody that a lot of coaches look up to, for him to act that way.”
O’Sullivan issued an apology a day after the outburst. The school reprimanded him that day and again almost two months later when it announced his suspension.
“The suspension announced today reinforces Florida Athletics’ commitment to our standards, with Coach O’Sullivan accepting full responsibility for his behavior,” Stricklin said in a statement. “Sully has vowed to learn from the experience and serve as a better leader moving forward.”
O’Sullivan is entering his 19th season atop the Gator baseball program, having taken it to the College World Series nine times in that stretch.
O’Sullivan is the seventh-highest paid college baseball coach in the country with an average annual salary of $1.84 million. His contract runs through the 2033 season after signing an extension prior to the 2024 campaign, which made him the second-highest paid coach in the sport at the time.
