Paws Up Podcast - Episode 82 Feat. Brian Jeroloman
Brian Jeroloman joined the Panthers in 2022 after serving as a scout for the New York Yankees among the South Florida region, while having spent time with USF baseball as an assistant catching, pitching and hitting coach.
Jeroloman wrapped up his third season in 2025, a vital part of the Panther's success offensively. The offense belted 80 homers, which is fourth-most in program history. The team drove in 359 RBI as a ballclub, while racking up 25 10+ hit games. Five Panthers earned spots on the CUSA All-Conference Team, including First Team selection Brylan West and All-Freshman honorees Cole Cleveland and Andrew Ildefonso. Senior slugger Kishon Frett was named to the Second Team after leading the conference with 20 home runs—tied for the fourth-most in program history—while also posting a team-best 44 RBIs. Frett was also recognized as CUSA Hitter of the Week twice (March 3 and April 14), with Alex Ulloa earning the honor on March 31.
In 2024, The program hit .293 the highest batting average since 2011 and as a member of Conference USA. The power was on vast display with 83 home runs, third most in program history and most since 2009. As an offense, they notched 379 RBI, most since 2011 and most as a member of CUSA. The team logged 26 games with 10+ or more hits. Three hitters made the CUSA All-Conference Team led by designated hitter Ryne Guida and his first-team all-conference selection.
In his first season the FIU offense saw great growth improving in almost every category including batting average, runs, hits, home runs, RBI and on-base percentage.
"Brian brings an extremely valuable combination of college coaching experience and professional scouting to our program," said head coach Rich Witten. "As a scout for the New York Yankees in South Florida, his contacts, relationships, and ability to evaluate players is next level. Brian has a contagious and positive energy that will be a great fit with our program."
Jeroloman, who will also work with the catchers defensively at FIU, most recently served as a scout for the New York Yankees for the last three seasons (2019-22) and was previously an assistant coach at the University of South Florida in 2018-19.
He also enjoyed a stellar playing career at the University of Florida before being selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the sixth round of the 2006 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft (180th overall). Jeroloman was also a member of the 2005 USA Baseball National Team.
During his time at USF in 2019, Jeroloman helped guide three MLB draftees, highlighted by first baseman Joe Genord, who earned first team All-AAC accolades was selected in ninth-round of 2019 MLB Draft by the New York Mets.
Genord hit a career best .333 with 13 home runs, 52 RBI and 36 runs scored in 2019, while having 16 multi-hit games, 14 multi-RBI games and finishing the year with a 25-game on-base streak.
Additionally, under Jeroloman's guidance, pitchers Nelson Alvarez and Alec Wisely were selected in the 13th and 34th round to the New York Yankees and Cleveland Indians, respectively. Alvarez held opponents to a team-low .172 batting average, while Wisely posted a 4.88 ERA with 54 strikeouts in 75.2 innings during the 2019 season.
Prior to USF, Jeroloman was the hitting and catching coach at St. John's River State College, where his team posted solid offensive numbers with 333 runs, 57 home runs and a batting average of .301.
Jeroloman spent 11 years as a professional baseball player in the organizations with the Toronto Blue Jays (2006-12), Cleveland Indians (2013), Pittsburgh Pirates (2013) and Washington Nationals (2013-17). Collegiately, Jeroloman enjoyed a successful career as a three-year starting catcher for the Florida Gators (2004-06), during which he was named to the Johnny Bench Award Watch List, which recognizes the nation's top catcher.
He was recognized with All-SEC Freshman Team honors in 2004 during a season that saw the Gators finish as the runner-up at the 2005 College World Series. Jeroloman was the starting catcher for the USA National Team in 2005 and was named a preseason All-American in 2006. Baseball America selected him as the best defensive catcher and for having the best arm in college baseball for the 2006 season.
