Florida baseball hires a familiar name as their associate and acting head coach

The University of Florida is welcoming a new Associate head coach to town, but it’s not for the football program. In wake of former Florida baseball interim head coach, Chuck Jeroloman announcing that he was leaving Florida for their SEC rival Tennessee Volunteers, Scott Stricklin and the University Athletic Association announced Friday that they have hired Tom Slater to be their Associate Head Coach and current acting Head Coach in charge of leading the Gators through the remainder of the fall season while the program continues its search for its next head coach to lead the team.

Slater is no stranger to the Gators. He served as an assistant coach at Florida in 2004 when the team finished 43-22, tied for second in the SEC Eastern Division and made their 25th appearance in the SEC tournament. 

Along with serving as an assistant coach at UF, Slater was the head coach at Auburn (2005-2008) and VMI (2001-2003). He also served as an assistant head coach at Auburn from 1995-2000. During his collegiate coaching stint, he has been to eight NCAA tournaments, four regional championships, two super regionals, and a College World Series in 1997.

Slater, the Richmond, Virginia native, has had 110 players drafted out of college, with 13 drafted in the first round and 47 drafted in the first 10 rounds.

Beyond collegiate baseball, Slater also has a plethora of experience at the Major League level, serving as a Minor League hitting coach and manager throughout the New York Yankees organization from 2009-2017, was the assistant hitting coach for the New York Mets from 2018-2021, and most recently served as a senior advisor and minor league hitting coordinator for the Miami Marlins from 2021-2024, and his latest role was  a member of player development with the Philadelphia Phillies from 2024-2025.

The 57-year-old’s experience precedes him, and he brings years of knowledge back with him to Florida. His ties to the University of Florida and appreciation for the Gator culture make him a great addition to the coaching staff.

“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,” he said.