Florida Gators baseball adds Tom Slater as interim coach, beats Jacksonville in exhibition

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Image Credit: John Paternoster, UAA

Just over one week after being elevated into an interim coach role, Florida Gators associate head coach Chuck Jeroloman left the program to take over a similar position with the Tennessee Volunteers. This as Florida head coach Kevin O’Sullivan remains on an unexpected, indefinite leave of absence from the baseball team.

Less than 24 hours after Jeroloman’s departure, the Gators announced that veteran assistant Tom Slater has been hired as associated head coach and interim coach of the team.

“Tom Slater brings a wealth of experience, leadership, and deep Gator ties to this role,” athletic director Scott Stricklin said in a release. “With more than three decades in college and professional baseball — including extensive experience in the SEC — he’s earned universal respect across the game. We’re excited to welcome him and Beth back to Gainesville.”

It was not stated whether Slater’s hiring was O’Sullivan’s decision or a move made with his blessing. In fact, his name was not mentioned in the press release.

“I am excited to be back with the Florida Gators,” said Slater, who served one year as a Florida assistant in 2004. “I look forward to serving and working together with the Gator baseball players and staff.”

Slater, 57, spent the last seven seasons in MLB as a hitting coach, senior advisor and player development staffer with the New York Mets, Miami Marlins and Philadelphia Phillies.

When he left the Gators after the 2004 season, Slater was hired as the head coach at Auburn, where he served from 2005-08. He finished 115-113 with his .504 winning rate the worst among any coach who led the Tigers for four or more seasons.

Florida last Wednesday announced that O’Sullivan was taking a leave of absence from the program. The absence was only explained as being for personal reasons with no further details provided as to his long-term status with the team.

“I appreciate the support of the university and athletic department,” O’Sullivan said in a statement. “I have some personal and family issues that need my full attention at this time.”

Should O’Sullivan return to the Gators, the 2026 season will mark his 19th with the program. In addition to leading UF to the national championship in 2017, he has been responsible for nine College World Series appearances, six SEC championships, two SEC Tournament championships and 14 first-round selections in the MLB Draft since 2012.

“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.”

Florida played its first of two fall exhibition games Friday night, winning 5-1 at Jacksonville. It will host Georgia Southern on Sunday, Nov. 9 at 2 p.m. ET.

The 2026 season begins in less than four months with a three-game homestand against UAB starting on Friday, Feb. 13. O’Sullivan is scheduled to serve a three-game suspension to start the season as punishment for a flare-up during the 2025 NCAA Tournament last summer.

UF has only finished over .500 in SEC play once across the last four seasons.