A Potential Shift in Florida’s Pitching Strategy
Florida’s baseball program is on the cusp of a significant change as it looks to replace its struggling pitching staff with a coach who has consistently turned raw talent into national contenders.
Rich Dorman, who has served as Oregon State’s pitching coach since 2019, built a reputation for engineering some of the most dominant rotations in college baseball, a résumé that includes a 2026 season in which the Beavers topped the nation in earned run average and strikeouts.
The Departure of David Kopp
The timing of the potential hire follows the abrupt departure of David Kopp, who was relieved of his duties after a Gainesville Regional that ended with the staff surrendering 43 runs and 49 hits, a performance that left the program’s postseason hopes in jeopardy.
Dorman’s track record extends beyond raw numbers; his mentorship produced the 2026 National Pitcher of the Year, Cooper Hjerpe, and helped secure 15 Major League Baseball draft selections during his seven‑year tenure, underscoring his ability to develop arms that can compete at the highest levels.
If the Gators finalize the agreement, the move could signal a new era of recruiting and development, especially as the program seeks to rebound from a season that saw its pitching staff rank near the bottom of the SEC, and it may also bring a connection to the Seattle Mariners’ own pipeline, given Dorman’s eight years in the organization.