Gators Baseball Coach Kevin O'Sullivan Returns After Suspension

After a turbulent end to the 2025 season, the veteran coach is rejuvenated and ready to lead Florida for his 19th year.

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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Gators baseball coach Kevin O'Sullivan enters his 19th year at Florida rested, ready and renewed after a season-ending tirade led to a three-game suspension, and a personal leave of absence provided a fresh perspective. A College World Series winner and NCAA Tournament regular, the 57-year-old O'Sullivan is one of his sport's top coaches and is eager to make up for lost time, though he'll have to miss his team's season-opening series.

Why it matters

O'Sullivan's behavior and a pair of lopsided losses to East Carolina University overshadowed the Gators' turnaround and left them out of the Super Regional for the third time in five seasons. However, the team responded with 14 wins during its final 18 conference games despite dealing with multiple season-ending injuries, showcasing their resilience.

The details

O'Sullivan unleashed a profanity-laced tirade on June 1 prior to the Gators' season-ending 11-4 loss to East Carolina University, berating an on-site staff member. He has accepted the consequences of his actions and is looking to move forward. The Gators opened SEC play 1-11 but responded with 14 wins during their final 18 conference games, despite dealing with four season-ending injuries.

  • On June 1, O'Sullivan had his profanity-laced tirade prior to the Gators' season-ending loss to East Carolina University.
  • O'Sullivan will miss the Gators' season-opening series on February 13-15 against UAB.

The players

Kevin O'Sullivan

The 57-year-old is the head coach of the Florida Gators baseball team and is one of the top coaches in college baseball, having led the team to a College World Series title and multiple NCAA Tournament appearances.

East Carolina University

The Gators' opponent in the season-ending loss that overshadowed their turnaround season.

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What they’re saying

“I certainly wish I didn't do it. No one feels more regretful than I do. The last thing I want to do is misrepresent Florida or myself, or anybody. I handled it poorly. I did what I needed to do, as far as apologies.”

— Kevin O'Sullivan, Head Coach, Florida Gators Baseball (sun-sentinel.com)

“It didn't end the way we wanted it to. But in the grand scheme of things … no one in the history of the SEC in baseball, since `91 since it's been expanded, has ever started out at 1-11 and turned it around. Hopefully, that momentum we can build off.”

— Kevin O'Sullivan, Head Coach, Florida Gators Baseball (sun-sentinel.com)

What’s next

O'Sullivan will miss the Gators' season-opening series on February 13-15 against UAB as part of the consequences for his actions.

The takeaway

Despite the turbulent end to the 2025 season, O'Sullivan's renewed focus and the Gators' resilience in overcoming a disastrous start to the SEC schedule provide hope that the team can build on that momentum and return to the NCAA Tournament in 2026.