Florida Baseball Coach O’Sullivan Takes Leave of Absence for Personal Matters

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — University of Florida Head Baseball Coach Kevin O'Sullivan announced on Wednesday that he is taking a leave of absence to address personal matters, effective immediately.

During O’Sullivan’s absence, Associate Head Coach Chuck Jeroloman will lead the baseball program on an interim basis. O’Sullivan stated, “I appreciate the support of the University and athletic department. I have some personal and family issues that need my full attention at this time.”

University officials have not disclosed additional details about the reasons for O’Sullivan’s leave. In August, he faced consequences for inappropriate comments made during the 2025 NCAA Conway Regional.

The recent announcement follows a turbulent end to the Gators’ 2025 season, where they lost to East Carolina University in the regional. O’Sullivan is known for his intense coaching style and has a storied history at Florida, including leading the program to a national title in 2017.

Athletics Director Scott Stricklin expressed support for O’Sullivan, saying, “Coach O’Sullivan has our full support as he takes the time he needs to focus on personal matters. We appreciate his openness in communicating this decision and respect his need for privacy.” The NCAA has a zero-tolerance policy towards unprofessional behavior, as demonstrated by O’Sullivan’s three-game suspension at the start of the 2026 season.

O’Sullivan, entering his 19th season with the Gators, is the program’s all-time winningest coach. Under his leadership, Florida has made 17 consecutive NCAA tournament appearances. His return to the program will depend on his personal situation, though no timeline was provided.