Monday the Florida Gators were awarded the No. 1 National Seed in the NCAA Tournament for the second time in school history (2012, 2016). Kevin O’Sullivan guided the 2016 team to a school record 44 wins.
In the middle of the NCAA Tournament Selection Show the University of Texas made waves when they announced that Augie Garrido, the winningest coach in college baseball history, was stepping down, creating an opening at one of the most prestigious college baseball jobs in the country. Naturally, when one of the most prestigious jobs opens up, O’Sullivan’s name will pop up.
“He’s one of the best in the country,” Florida Athletic Director Jeremy Foley said of O’Sullivan. “I’m sure he mentioned for a lot of jobs. When Billy was around here, he was mentioned for every job that ever came open, because he was really good. Sully’s the same way.”
It’s true that Foley has had to fend off suitors for coaches across the athletic program since he’s been Athletic Director, but Texas is a formidable foe. Texas is widely considered one of, if not the, best jobs in college baseball. The Longhorns have the most College World Series appearances (35), games played (144), wins (85) and have won six National Championships. Few schools rival the dedication to the program and support from the fan base.
O’Sullivan came to Florida after the Gators missed the NCAA Tournament in back-to-back seasons. The Gators have not missed the NCAA Tournament since O’Sullivan was hired nine years ago — extending the school-record streak to nine years in the NCAA Tournament this year — and the 2016 team could be the best ball club O’Sullivan has guided during his tenure.
“We hired him. We’ve watched what he’s built,” Foley said. “We wanted him to make our program relevant, and I’d say he’s done that over and over and over again. We have a tremendous relationship with Sully.”
O’Sullivan was named the SEC Coach of the Year in 2010 and 2014. Baseball America named him the National Coach of the Year in 2011. He has a 391-186 (.678) in nine seasons.
The University of Texas has had just three head baseball coaches since 1940 and would certainly be an attractive job to any coach in the country. With what O’Sullivan has built in Gainesville, losing him would be a big hit to the program, and something Foley doesn’t seem interested in going through.
“To have a really good program you need really good coaches,” he said. “When you have a good one you work like heck to keep them We have a pretty good track record of that.
“We have a great relationship with Sully, he has a great relationship with us. I expect him to be our baseball coach a long time.”