GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Florida head baseball coach Kevin O’Sullivan<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_coaches.aspx-3Frc-3D1291&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=T2yMX0lciHgAY3Pzjqlbd64Nh-uFJ-kOSh-jbJco7hU&s=o51uJU2g6q8hnrZHNhcDbTSjN4f288vcUZ_iIMFJOyo&e= > announced the hiring of volunteer assistant coach David Kopp on Thursday.
“We are excited to add David to our staff and for all that he is going to bring to our program,” O’Sullivan said. “I have known David for 20 years, having recruited and coached him during my time at Clemson. He is a tremendous person and coach that has performed at a high level everywhere he has been, and will be a great fit for our team moving forward.”
Kopp replaces Lars Davis<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_coaches.aspx-3Frc-3D1294&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=T2yMX0lciHgAY3Pzjqlbd64Nh-uFJ-kOSh-jbJco7hU&s=hDf1fVirTfA7ij4w6B8ldG9m2yYgc6dZfKFZutHOEgU&e= > on the Florida coaching staff following Davis’ departure to Georgia State.
Kopp comes to the Gators from Florida Atlantic, where he spent the past four seasons as the Owls’ pitching coach and recruiting coordinator. Across his four years at FAU, the Owls posted a 126-71-1 (.639) record, winning 30-plus games in each of his three-full seasons on staff and winning 40-plus games in both 2018 and 2019.
“I am proud and excited to join Kevin O’Sullivan<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_coaches.aspx-3Frc-3D1291&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=T2yMX0lciHgAY3Pzjqlbd64Nh-uFJ-kOSh-jbJco7hU&s=o51uJU2g6q8hnrZHNhcDbTSjN4f288vcUZ_iIMFJOyo&e= > and the Gators staff in Gainesville,” Kopp said. “I am looking forward to reconnecting with Sully and helping to continue the pursuit of National Championship-caliber baseball in Gainesville. Let’s go, Gators!”
Within the conference, FAU went 59-30-1 (.661) during Kopp’s tenure, claiming the Conference USA Championship in 2019 while reaching the NCAA Tournament two-consecutive years from 2018-19. Kopp also played a significant role in player development while at FAU, as seven Owls pitchers were selected in the MLB Draft from 2018-2021. Additionally, Kopp helped FAU pitchers combine for six separate All-Conference USA selections including closer Zach Schneider, who became the Owls’ first-ever repeat All-American.
Prior to FAU, Kopp served as the pitching coach and recruiting coordinator at Florida Southern in 2017. In his lone season on staff, the Moccasins reached the postseason with a 35-17 record while registering the second-longest win streak in program history at 17 games. Kopps’ Florida Southern pitching staff ranked first in the nation in strikeout-to-walk ratio.
Kopp spent the 2016 campaign as a student assistant coach with his alma mater, Clemson. The Tigers won the Atlantic Coast Conference Championship in 2016, finishing the regular season ranked No. 7 in the country. Following the conclusion of the college season, Kopp gained further experience as the pitching coach of the Strasburg Express of the Valley Baseball League.
As a player at Clemson, Kopp powered the Tigers to three-consecutive NCAA Super Regional appearances from 2005-07, featuring one ACC Championship and one NCAA College World Series appearance. Across his three-year career, Kopp totaled a 16-8 record and 4.18 ERA over 288.1 innings pitched. In 2007, he worked to a 3.79 ERA across 99.2 frames, earning First Team All-ACC honors.
Following the 2007 season, Kopp was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals with the 71st overall pick in the second round of the MLB Draft. He went on to be named a Florida State League All-Star in 2009 and later the Texas League Pitcher of the Year for Double-A Springfield in 2010. In 2012, Kopp represented Team Israel in the World Baseball Classic.
Kopp wrapped up his professional career in 2014, pitching parts of eight seasons in the Minor Leagues. He accumulated 435.2 innings as a member of the Cardinals and Detroit Tigers organizations with a 4.59 career ERA.
