Florida career saves leader Michael Byrne joining UF baseball staff
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Feel the Byrne, baby.
Former Florida pitcher Michael Byrne, the all-time saves leader at UF and the closer on the 2017 national championship team, is rejoining the program as a member of the coaching staff.
Gators coach Kevin O’Sullivan announced the addition of Byrne on Wednesday as a student assistant coach.
“We are thrilled to bring Michael back to the Gators as part of our coaching staff for the 2025 season,” O’Sullivan said. “Michael bolsters our staff by providing yet another experienced resource for our developing young pitchers. 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.”
Byrne will work primarily with the pitchers as he rehabs from injury after electing free agency in November. His professional playing career is ongoing, but he looks forward to returning to Florida’s dugout.
“I am both honored and excited to be back in Orange & Blue in this new role,” Byrne said. “Thank you to Sully for the opportunity to be a part of the staff, and I am looking forward to adding value to the organization in any way I can, both on and off the field.”
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Byrne holds the program records for career saves (35) and saves in a season (19). He helped the Gators win the 2017 College World Series and reach Omama three times during his UF career (2016-18). Byrne was selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the 14th round of the 2018 MLB Draft after being named the 2018 NCBWA Stopper of the Year and First Team All-American as a junior.
The Orlando, Fla. native pitched parts of six seasons in the Cincinnati organization since turning pro. Byrne has advanced to the Triple-A level and owns a 19-15 record, 3.62 ERA and 1.32 WHIP across 261 1/3 innings. Working primarily as a reliever in the Reds system, he made 174 appearances (10 starts) while fanning 9.2 batters per nine and issuing 3.3 walks per nine.
Byrne is one of the highest-performing relievers in UF history. The righty produced sub-2.00 ERAs in each of his final two seasons, culminating with a 1.88 career ERA, 2.13 batting average against and 172 strikeouts across 88 outings and 153 frames. Byrne, a 2018 Dick Howser Trophy Finalist and South All-Region recipient, allowed just 23 free passes in his career for a remarkable 1.35 walks per nine.
Florida opens the 2025 regular season on Feb. 14 against Air Force at 6:30 p.m., hosting the Falcons for a three-game series (Feb. 14-16) for the first time in program history.
