Josh Elander’s first hire as Tennessee baseball’s head coach was a big one, tabbing top Florida assistant Chuck Jeroloman as the Vols’ new associate head coach.
Jeroloman spent the last six years with the Florida program including last year as the associate head coach. He’s also currently the Gators’ active head coach as head coach Kevin O’Sullivan is currently on leave away from the Florida program.
Elander has a previous tie to Jeroloman with the Vols’ new assistant beginning his college coaching career at TCU during Elander’s senior season as a player. Here’s what Elander said about hiring Jeroloman to his staff:
“With a proven track record of connecting with and developing players at an elite level, along with years of experience in the SEC as a coach and a player, Chuck Jeroloman will instantly help elevate our program,” Elander said in a statement. “I want to thank Danny White and our administration for making this possible with their continued investment into the baseball program here at Tennessee to ensure it remains among the elite programs in the country.”
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Jeroloman will serve as Tennessee’s associate head coach while Ross Kivett is the recruiting coordinator and Frank Anderson remains the pitching coach. Tennessee’s new assistant coach fills the vacancy on the Vols’ staff that Elander’s promotion to head coach created.
Jeroloman has earned the reputation as a top recruiter and hitting coach in the college baseball ranks. Prior to his time in Gainesville, only one Florida player had hit 20 home runs in consecutive seasons. Three different Florida players have hit 20-plus home runs in consecutive seasons.
Adding the top assistant to his staff is a major early win for Elander in his tenure as Tennessee baseball’s head coach.
Prior to his time at Florida, Jeroloman was on staff at South Florida, Jacksonville and TCU. Jeroloman played his college baseball at Auburn where he was a three-year starter before the Boston Red Sox selected him in the 21st round of the 2004 MLB Draft.
