O'Dette Named Florida Southern College Baseball Head Coach

LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Southern College has named Rick O'Dette its eighth head coach of the Florida Southern baseball program, announced by Director of Athletics & Dean of Wellness Drew Howard.
 
"We are thrilled to welcome Rick O'Dette as our next head baseball coach," said Howard. "Rick stood out in his extensive Division II experience and success to emerge as the next leader of our nine-time national championship baseball program. We are excited for the future of Florida Southern baseball here in Lakeland as we chase championship number 10."
 
Howard added, "I would also like to thank the countless alumni and Mocs baseball fans who have reached out to offer support and excitement for the future of our program.  This program is truly primed, to again, be the best in the country."
 
O'Dette comes to Lakeland with 24 years of head coaching experience, all at the NCAA Division II level. Most recently the head coach at fellow Sunshine State Conference institution Saint Leo University for the last seven years, O'Dette spent 17 years at the helm of St. Joseph's College (Ind.), his alma mater, and begins a new era of Florida Southern baseball with 700 career wins under his belt.

"I first want to thank President Dr. Anne B. Kerr, Director of Athletics Drew Howard, and the entire search committee for this amazing opportunity," O'Dette said. "FSC is an incredible institution with a thriving department and community. I am eager to get on campus to get rolling to bring home championship #10!"
 
A native of Chicago, Ill., O'Dette took over the reins at Saint Leo in the summer of 2017, inheriting a team that achieved 23 wins in the year previous, and made an immediate impact with a 38-11 overall record in his first season with the Lions. Amassing 183 wins over seven seasons with SLU, O'Dette took the Lions to the NCAA regional tournament in 2022 and 2024, hosting the NCAA South Region second bracket both years. O'Dette went on to win the NCBWA South Region Coach of the Year and SSC Coach of the Year in 2022, the first in 24 years for the program. In seven seasons with the Lions, O'Dette led talented teams that cracked the top 25 on several occasions, including a top-10 ranking earlier in 2024. O'Dette has coached 25 All-SSC honorees, nine All-South regional award winners, and two NCBWA/D2CCA All-Americans.
 
Prior to his time at Saint Leo, O'Dette was the head coach at Saint Joseph's College of Indiana, where he led the Pumas for 17 seasons and amassed a 494-407-4 overall record. In his final campaign at Saint Joseph's College, O'Dette guided the Pumas to a 35-22 record and the program's fourth berth in the NCAA Midwest Regional. He was recognized as the Great Lakes Valley Conference Coach of the Year two times in his career, including his final season for Saint Joseph in 2017. Thirty-two of O'Dette's players have gone on to play professional baseball, including 10 who were drafted or signed as free agents by Major League Baseball teams.
 
O'Dette continued, "I would also like to thank those former players, coaches, assistants, and anyone involved in my career as well as my time at both St. Joseph's College (Ind.) and Saint Leo University. First and foremost, I thank my family for believing in me and following my journey in this profession."
 
"To be able to stand out in the applicant pool and to accept this challenge gives me new energy to take this program back to the top of not only the conference but the region and make a splash on the national stage," O'Dette added. "I look forward to getting in touch with all our alumni and being able to work hand in hand with the entire campus community in Lakeland! Go Mocs!"
 
O'Dette was a three-year baseball letterwinner and a pitcher on the Pumas' 1996 NCAA Division II national runner-up squad. He finished his career with a 15-3 record on the mound, earning All-North Central Region honors in 1996 and getting tabbed as an All-GLVC selection in 1997. O'Dette was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 15^th round of the 1997 MLB First-Year Player Draft and played at four different levels within the Red Sox organization. In recognition of his coaching and playing achievements, O'Dette was a 2012 inductee into the Saint Joseph's College Sports Hall of Fame.
 
O'Dette earned a bachelor's degree in education from Saint Joseph's College in 1999 and resides in Wesley Chapel, Fla. with his wife, Sherry, and kids, Ricky and Aly.
 
Florida Southern College Baseball
Florida Southern baseball ties the NCAA Division II record for national championships (nine) since the program's NCAA debut in 1957. FSC also holds one of the best postseason records among Division II teams and has a 153-82 record in the NCAA tournament. The program has won 21 regional championships and 17 SSC regular season titles, solidifying Lakeland as an NCAA baseball powerhouse. A storied MLB prospect program, Florida Southern has produced 143 MLB draft selections, and 12 Moccasins that have reached the big leagues. 
 
What Others Are Saying About Rick
Pete Meyer – Former Florida Southern Director of Athletics and Baseball Coach (2002-08, 2011-12)
"Home run hire! He's been a winner at every stop and a relentless recruiter. Southern will continue to win championships with OD leading the way!"
 
Jason Rodda – FSC Trustee, Baseball Alum (2000), CEO and President Rodda Construction
"Excited to have someone to build on the great history of the Florida Southern baseball program. He is the next in line of the great coaches at FSC. Exciting times to be part of the Moccasin family!"
 
Andy McGaffigan – FSC Hall of Fame 2003, Florida Southern Baseball Alumni (1977-78)
"I am happy for this hire. Rick will do a fine job. He had a great resume, unbelievable experience in Division II, and an understanding of what it takes to win, especially in our conference. He is a really organized, very capable, and highly motivated guy who will bring championship #10 to Florida Southern. I am looking forward to him being at the helm."
 
Joe Arnold – Former Florida Southern College Baseball Coach (1977-83)
"I expect Rick to get rolling quickly and rebuild the Mocs back into a national power. I am pleased to have hired a coach with his professional experience and 24 years of head coaching. His recruiting contacts are exceptional, and I look forward to watching him guide the Mocs!"
 
Francis X. Reidy – Former Vice President and Director of Athletics at Saint Leo University
"Coach O'Dette is a tremendous leader and coach. Players love playing for him. His record and accomplishments speak for themselves. But Rick is an even better person and brings so much more to the entire organization with his energy, commitment, drive for excellence and integrity. He is a fantastic teammate who wants not only his program to succeed but will be the first to help his colleagues be successful too."
 
Matt Mercurio – Scout for Arizona Diamondbacks, FSC Hall of Fame 2015, FSC Baseball (2002-05)
"Rick is a competitor and will get out there and compete. I am happy for him and his family to be a part of a strong tradition and history. He will do a great job of reinvigorating the relationship with alumni in a different capacity. He will appreciate the past and history at Florida Southern and understands the current college scene within the conference where he will mesh those things together and get after it. He is passionate about what he is doing, regardless of what he is doing. I am excited for his opportunity to be at the helm of the Moccasins!"
 
Gary Gilmore – Head Coach, Coastal Carolina University
"I have known Rick for over 25 years and he has been a winner and class act everywhere he has been! One of the top pitching minds in college baseball. I see him bringing Florida Southern Baseball back to the level of dominance they enjoyed in the '80s and '90s. Amazing Hire!"
 
Jimmy Burnette – Pitcher, Toronto Blue Jays; Former Saint Leo Baseball Player (2021)
"Coach O'Dette not only helps you become a better player and competitor but also a better individual. He teaches and preaches how you should carry yourself on and off the field, instilling a work ethic that will help you in all facets of life. I am honored to have been coached by him."
 
Dewey Robinson – Senior Advisor, Pittsburgh Pirates
"Rick's track record at St. Joseph's and Saint Leo speaks for itself. I've had the pleasure of getting to know Rick on and off the field and understand why he's always successful. His dedication, passion, and commitment to his student-athletes and staff are second to none. The future of Florida Southern baseball is in good hands."
 
Dan Hartleb – Head Coach, University of Illinois
"Rick is one of the best college coaches in the country. His teams consistently win at a high level. His work ethic, baseball knowledge, and integrity are second to none. Florida Southern hit a home run with this hire. In my opinion, Florida Southern will compete for a national championship under Rick's leadership."
 
Tracy Smith – Head Coach, University of Michigan
"Rick has had success everywhere he has been. Florida Southern made a tremendous hire when they chose him to lead their baseball program. Good days ahead for Moccasins baseball."
 
Garrett Guest – Assistant Director, Amateur Scouting – Chicago White Sox
"As a former player under Coach O'Dette, I can attest to his remarkable coaching abilities and the significant impact he has on his players. A true baseball man, his passion for the game and dedication to developing winners are evident in every aspect of his coaching. Florida Southern is gaining an outstanding leader who will undoubtedly bring a winning culture and a competitive brand of baseball to that storied program!