A well-known figure is coming back to the Florida Gators. On Wednesday, the team revealed that former closer Michael Byrne will become a student assistant coach on the coaching staff in 2025.
“I feel both honored and thrilled to return in Orange & Blue in this new position,” said Byrne. “Gratitude to Sully for the chance to join the team, and I am eager to contribute to the organization in every possible way, both on and off the field.”
Sullivan Bortner states that the National Champion is still active in professional sports and is now a free agent. While recovering from an injury, he will collaborate with the pitchers on the team.
Byrne initially left his impression in Gainesville from the bullpen between 2016 and 2018. In 88 games, he recorded a 1.88 ERA and achieved 35 saves, setting a program record.
He was part of the Gators squad that clinched the College World Series in 2018 – their first and sole National Championship. He came back with the Gators to Omaha in his third and last year in 2018.
While at Florida, he earned several prestigious honors, including the 2018 NCBWA Stopper of the Year, recognition as a First Team All-American (Baseball America, D1Baseball.com, NCBWA, Perfect Game) in 2018, and being selected for the 2018 All-SEC First Team.
The native of Orlando was selected in the 14th round of the 2018 draft by the Cincinnati Reds. He devoted his whole professional career to the organization prior to becoming a free agent in November.
In 174 appearances in the minor leagues, Byrne recorded a 4.10 ERA, 11 saves, a 1.32 WHIP, and 267 strikeouts over 261 1/3 innings.
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