Hired in the summer of 2003, Bob Shepherd begins his fifth season as an assistant coach for the University of North Florida baseball team.

Since his arrival as the team's pitching coach, the Ospreys have enhanced their tradition of success on the mound even further. Despite a tough 2007 season for the Ospreys, Shepherd was able to help guide the young arm of freshman John Atteo to a 6-4 record and an Atlantic Sun Conference All-Freshman Team selection. Another pinnacle of the season was a dominating performance by sophomore Antonio Franzese in a 3-2 upset win at preseason No. 5 Miami.

UNF finished 34-21 in 2006, finishing second in the Atlantic Sun Conference thanks in large part to the dominance of the UNF staff on the mound. Two UNF starters - Jeremy Papelbon and Brad Johnson - earned all-conference honors, while five pitchers from the 2006 staff went on to either be drafted or sign minor league free agent contracts.

The Ospreys posted a 4.15 earned run average in 2006, which ranked second in the conference behind only NCAA Tournament participant Stetson, while also ranking second in strikeouts as a team. Starter Jeremy Papelbon led the conference in earned run average (2.43), while Brad Johnson ranked third (2.65).

In 2005, Shepherd helped guide UNF to a 48-17 mark, including a 23-7 record in Peach Belt play, en route to a second-place finish at the Division II National Baseball Championship.

The Ospreys' pitching staff was once again among the nation's best in 2005. Of 214 Division II teams, UNF finished the season ranked 14th in ERA at 3.43. UNF closer Josh Papelbon finished 2005 ranked fifth in the nation in ERA (1.48) and fourth in saves (14), while starter Jacob Dixon finished the season ranked 64th in the nation in wins (8). Papelbon also earned Peach Belt Conference Pitcher of the Week honors twice.

UNF led the Peach Belt in strikeouts in 2005 with 474, while finishing ranked second in team ERA (3.26) and shutouts (5). The Ospreys also led the PBC in saves with 21.

In 2004, UNF posted a 3.88 team earned run average and led the Peach Belt Conference in strikeouts with 440. The Ospreys led the PBC in wins with 41, innings pitched with 509.2 and finished third in the league in fewest runs allowed (256), despite playing the second-most games of any team in the conference.

That same season, UNF starting pitcher Travis Stanton completed a masterful year, earning first-team All-America honors and Peach Belt Pitcher of the Year after finishing 12-2 with a 2.38 ERA in a league-high 128.1 innings. Stanton also earned PBC Pitcher of the Week honors twice in 2004.