Florida career saves leader, national champion Michael Byrne joining staff as student assistant

One of the all-time greats in Florida baseball history is headed back to the program to serve as a student assistant, with reliever Michael Byrne set to take on the role.

Baseball America’s Jacob Rudner reported the news on Wednesday, noting that Byrne is not retiring from his playing career but will instead be rehabbing as a free agent this spring in Gainesville.

“Michael bolsters our staff by providing yet another experienced resource for our developing young pitchers,” coach Kevin O’Sullivan said in a statement provided to Rudner. “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.”

Michael Byrne was drafted in the 14th round of the 2018 MLB Draft by the Cincinnati Reds.

He has since bounced around the minor leagues quite a bit, reaching the Triple-A Louisville Bats during the 2024 season. He appeared in seven games there, posting a 4.05 ERA.

So while the dream to reach the big leagues will continue, a temporary pit stop in Gainesville could afford the Gators with a real luxury: the knowledge and expertise of someone on staff that has won a national championship.

Michael Byrne isn’t the first former national champion on the staff, either. Former catcher Mike Rivera joined the staff as a student assistant in 2023, immediately seeing Florida reach the College World Series championship series.

Rivera was promoted to a full-time role as the director of player development this offseason, so presumably there will be room for Byrne to advance professionally on the coaching track should he so choose.

In any case, he’ll offer some real expertise to Florida’s pitching staff.

Michael Byrne holds Florida’s school record for career saves with 35, as well as the school record for most saves in a single season at 19. He did the latter in 2017, during Florida’s run to the national championship.

Byrne set all kind of absurd marks with the Gators.

He finished his career with a 7-7 record, striking out 172 batters in 153.0 innings worth of work. Opponents hit just .213 off him during his career.

Florida’s 2025 season will begin on Feb. 14 with a three-game weekend series against Air Force.