Florida baseball hires Coach Tom Slater as associate head coach

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — It took less than 24 hours for the Florida Gators to find new associate head coach. The University Athletic Association announced the hire of longtime college and professional coach Tom Slater on Friday.

Slater, 57, will serve as associate head coach and acting head coach of the UF baseball program. He replaces interim coach Chuck Jeroloman, who left for Tennessee on Thursday after holding the same position as Slater since 2020.

Slater recently worked in player development with the Philadelphia Phillies (2024–25) and as a senior advisor/Minor League hitting coordinator for the Miami Marlins (2021–24). He was the head coach at Auburn (2005–08) and VMI (2001–03).

This will be the second stint in Gainesville for the Richmond, Va., native, who was an assistant coach at Florida (2004) and Auburn (1995–2000).

“Tom Slater brings a wealth of experience, leadership, and deep Gator ties to this role,” Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin said. “With more than three decades in college and professional baseball — including extensive experience in the SEC — he’s earned universal respect across the game. We’re excited to welcome him and Beth back to Gainesville.”

Before joining the Phillies and Marlins, Slater was an assistant hitting coach for the New York Mets from 2018–21. He nine seasons with the New York Yankees (2009–17) as a Minor League hitting coach and manager throughout the organization.

Now he makes his return to the college game — and UF.

“I am excited to be back with the Florida Gators,” Slater said. “I look forward to serving and working together with the Gator baseball players and staff.”

Tom Slater has nearly 35 years of experience

Slater has been part of staffs at Auburn and Florida that advanced to eight NCAA Tournaments, four Regional championships, two Super Regionals (1999 and 2004) and one College World Series (1997). In his 17 years as a college coach, Slater produced more than 110 MLB draftees, including 13 first-rounders and 47 players selected within the top 10 rounds.

During his four seasons at Auburn, he went 115–113 overall and 43–77 in the SEC. The Tigers qualified for the 2005 NCAA Tournament and advanced to the Tallahassee Regional Finals. He produced 21 MLB Draft picks during his tenure, highlighted by 2007 first-round pick and eventual 2015 American League MVP Josh Donaldson.

While at Florida in 2004, Slater coached third base and oversaw UF’s offense, which ranked second in the SEC in runs, second in batting average and third in home runs. That season, the Gators finished 43–22 and reached the NCAA Super Regional.

Before his time at Florida and Auburn, Slater served as head coach at his alma mater, VMI, from 2001–03. He led program achieved its first winning conference season since 1989 and earned Southern Conference Coach of the Year honors in 2003.

During his time as an assistant coach at Auburn, Slater helped the Tigers to four of their best win totals in program history, including a 50-win season in 1997 and a trip to the College World Series. Auburn went 265-11 in his six seasons on Hal Baird’s staff.

A 1990 graduate of VMI, Slater was a four-year starter at third base and began his coaching career in 1991 as an assistant at St. Christopher’s School in Richmond. He later held assistant positions at Marshall (1992) and VMI (1993–94).