Joining former teammate and director of player development Mike Rivera is Florida all-time saves leader Michael Byrne. O’Sullivan made the addition official on Wednesday.

“We are thrilled to bring Michael back to the Gators as part of our coaching staff for the 2025 season,” O’Sullivan said. “Michael bolsters our staff by providing yet another experienced resource for our developing young pitchers. He has been a part of a National Championship roster and knows what it takes to excel at the very highest level of our game.”

Byrne is close to Florida royalty, at least on the diamond. The starters and position players get all of the love, but it’s a rare thing in baseball to find a dominant closer. Byrne left Florida as the saves king, with 35 for his career and a program-record 19 in one season. He finished two seasons with a sub-2.00 earned run average and struck out 172 to just 23 walks over 88 over 153 innings. The NCBWA named him the Stopper of the Year in 2018 and he also earned a First Team All-American nod as a junior.