With most MLB coaches still seeking salary increment and added benefits, Kevin O’Sullivan, the Florida Gators coach, is currently the highest-paid in the entire United States of America. O’Sullivan seemed to have made a record deal with the Gators with the intention of making a career out of it because he is guaranteed to stay with them for a decade. According to the confirmation made by the University of Florida on Wednesday, for the next ten years, O’Sullivan will be paid an annual salary of $1.25 million, along with a half a million-dollar signing bonus, which already has an impact on latest baseball lines.
The 47-year old Florida head coach has one of the most competitive achievements in the game, which obviously helped him to negotiate such a contract. Among all the UF baseball coaches, O’Sullivan leads them with a winning percentage (.677) as well as an impressive record of 396-189. The number of games his teams has won under his headship stand at 104 games in the last two seasons, along with a school winning record of 44 games in the regular season of 2016. The coach has also helped University of Florida to sign three number one recruiting classes. In 2009, he signed the first one for the school.
In the last seven seasons, O’Sullivan has managed to help the Florida Gators reach the NCAA Tournament, as well as advancing to the College World Series five times. In June 2016, the Gators secured the number one seed, but they lost two games and exited the College World Series. During this period, Texas was allegedly eyeing to recruit O’Sullivan as a replacement for their retired legend Augie Garrido. He decided to take a rest after twenty seasons in which he won three national titles.
At the SEC Spring Meeting, Jeremy Foley, the UF athletic director, expressed that he plans to retain the services of O’Sullivan in Gainesville. He added that they both have a great relationship and O’Sullivan will not leave any time soon. However, in case the coach decides to resign his position after the end of next season, he would owe a buyout of $1m to UF, $750,000 if he decides to leave after 2018 and $500,000 if he exits at any point before the expiry of his contract. On the other hand, his termination would make him $500,000 richer in annual dues from the school until his contract ends in 2025.
The University of Florida seems committed to retaining and supporting O’Sullivan and his baseball program after the school just dedicated $100 million towards renovating the McKethan Stadium to modern standards.
Scott Stricklin, the new Athletic Director, has also revealed his profound assurance to support the highest-paid head coach at Mississippi State. Stricklin expressed his sentiments about his passion for the game, saying even after watching several games in the past in the SEC; he is looking forward to work together with Sully wholeheartedly. He added that he was eager to get a detailed overview of the coach’s vision about the stadium’s upgrade because, according to him, baseball is a great sport and the Gators have constantly played superbly.
