Kevin O'Sullivan - Clemson Baseball Coaching Candidates

Kevin O'Sullivan was the Tigers' pitching coach from 1999-2007. During that span he coached three 50-win College World Series teams. While on staff, Clemson never missed the NCAA tournament and failed to reach Super Regionals only twice. The year after he left, Clemson missed the NCAA tournament for the first and only time in Coach Leggett's tenure.

Since joining Florida in 2008, O'Sullivan has had great success. After missing the tournament in the two seasons prior to his arrival, Kevin O'Sullivan guided the Gators back to the NCAA tournament in year one. He continued the positive trend by increasing the win total and advancing to Super Regionals in his second season as the head coach. By year three they were in the College World Series and by year four they made it to the College World Series, but lost in two games to the Gamecocks. He would make the College World Series again in 2012, making it three straight trips to Omaha.

Things have slowed down a bit lately, as the Gators were unable to advance out of Regional play in each of the last two postseasons, however this year they earned a home regional and advanced to a home Super Regional where they will play rival Florida State.

While anyone would applaud this hire, it is a bit hard to believe it will happen. Outbidding Florida for their coach seems unlikely. As if Florida's deep pockets weren't a big enough obstacle, Kevin O'Sullivan attended high school in Jupiter, Florida and played JUCO baseball in Jacksonville. He also earned his Master's Degree (Exercise Science) from Florida Atlantic University. Tack on eight years in Gainesville and it's hard to make a case against him being a Florida guy.

"I grew up in Florida so it was a no-brainer for me. I still pinch myself." - Kevin O'Sullivan

Florida247 shines a little optimism on the possibility of bringing back O'Sullivan:

Why would O'Sullivan consider leaving Florida?

The eighth-year coach has been disappointed at times with the lack of consistent attendance and support for his teams, despite fielding a consistent winning product. Florida has also not made many upgrades to McKethan Stadium since a $13 million expansion and addition to the training facility in 2006. The Gators have padded the outfield wall and put in a new video board in recent years.

In any case, it's certainly something to bear watching. O'Sullivan played his college baseball in the ACC at Virginia and has plenty of familiarity with the league after his long coaching stint at Clemson.

His wife was a real estate agent in Clemson (she sold his Clemson area condo when he took the UF job), so there's that, but chances are he's found his dream job in college baseball's best conference. AD Dan Radakovich will at least give him a pitch, and we'd love to have him back, but I wouldn't count on it.