Florida baseball is hiring veteran coach Tom Slater to their coaching staff as Associate Head Coach, Gator Country confirms.

“Tom Slater brings a wealth of experience, leadership, and deep Gator ties to this role,” said Florida Athletic Director Scott Stricklin. “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.”

Slater will be the acting head coach until Kevin O’Sullivan returns from his leave of absence.

The 57-year-old is currently working in the player development space with the Philadelphia Phillies organization. Slater served as an assistant coach at Florida in 2004 under head coach Pat McMahon.

“I am excited to be back with the Florida Gators,” said Slater. “I look forward to serving and working together with the Gator baseball players and staff.”

Slater was a head coach at VMI from 2001-2003 and the Auburn Tigers from 2005-2008.

The move comes just one day after Florida’s Associate Head Coach Chuck Jeroloman took a job with the Tennessee Volunteers for a similar position.

THE TOM SLATER FILE

Birthdate: April 6, 1968
Hometown: Richmond, Va.
Education: Bachelor of Arts with major in History from Virginia Military Institute in 1990
Playing Career: Virginia Military Institute (1987-1990)
Coaching Career:
Assistant Coach, St. Christopher’s School, 1991
Assistant Coach, Marshall, 1992
Assistant Coach, VMI, 1993-1994
Assistant Coach, Auburn, 1995-2000
Head Coach, VMI, 2001-2003
Assistant Coach, Florida, 2004
Head Coach, Auburn, 2005-08
Manager, Gulf Coast League Yankees, 2009-10
Manager, Staten Island Yankees, 2011
Hitting Coach, Trenton Thunder, 2012
Roving Hitting Instructor, New York Yankees, 2013-14
Hitting Coach, Tampa Yankees, 2015-16
Hitting Coach, Trenton Thunder, 2017
Hitting Coach, New York Mets, 2018-21
Senior Advisor/Minor League Hitting Coordinator, Miami Marlins, 2021-24
Player Development, Philadelphia Phillies, 2024-25
Associate Head Coach, Florida, 2025-pres.