Florida Baseball Has Begun Fall Practice
The Gators opened their fall training camp as the coaching staff underwent significant updates.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Baseball
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The Florida baseball team officially opened fall practice on September 28, 2026. The program also confirmed a revamped coaching staff and a slate of five exhibition games scheduled for the upcoming months.
Why it matters
Head coach Kevin O'Sullivan has delegated new responsibilities to assistants to focus on broader leadership duties. These changes aim to integrate new talent and solidify team rotations before the exhibition schedule begins.
Florida enters the fall with four catchers on its active roster. The team has committed to playing five total exhibition games across October and November 2026.
The players
Kevin O'Sullivan
He remains the head coach of the Florida Gators baseball team and is currently delegating pitching oversight.
Rich Dorman
He is a new addition to the coaching staff who serves as the team's pitching coach.
Todd Butler
He has joined the Florida staff to work specifically with the team's infielders.
Kyle McDaniel
He is a player currently sidelined for an expected one month due to a hamate injury.
The details
Rich Dorman has joined the staff as pitching coach, collaborating with O'Sullivan on pitch calling and mound visits. Meanwhile, Todd Butler has been added to oversee infield development, as the team works through early injuries like Kyle McDaniel's hamate issue.
Timeline
September 28, 2026: Florida baseball began fall practice.
October 2026: Fall exhibition games are scheduled to occur.
November 2026: Fall exhibition games are scheduled to occur.
Season Trajectory
The transition in pitching management signals a shift in operational focus for the Gators under NCAA Division I baseball fall practice guidelines. This development follows the organizational patterns set by the governing body to prepare squads for the spring season.
Trey Morris is currently projected to secure a spot in the weekend rotation, while Jackson Hoyt is slated for a significant second-year jump in performance. These adjustments to the lineup and coaching structure will dictate the team's defensive and pitching output throughout the fall exhibitions.
The takeaway
The addition of new coaching staff members suggests a strategic push to optimize player development during the offseason. Maintaining health during these early practices will be critical for the team to meet its performance projections for the spring.
Further reading
For more on local collegiate competition, visit Baseball.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Gator Country.
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