As a freshman in 1950, Sullivan played on the freshman football team for head coachSam Boyd. As a sophomore, Sullivan was a running back on the 1951 Baylor Bears football team. Led by All-AmericanquarterbackLarry Isbell, the Bears went on to play in the Orange Bowl and finished the season ranked #9 by the Associated Press and UPI, Baylor's highest finish in either poll. Ultimately, while never becoming a full-time starter, Sullivan went on to be a three-year letter winner under head coach George Sauer. As a baseball player, Sullivan earned All-Southwest Conference honors in 1952, 1953, and 1954 and earned All-American honors as an outfielder in both 1953 and 1954. As a senior, Sullivan hit.519, a Southwest Conference record.
Professional career
After his sophomore year at Baylor, Sullivan was approached by the Washington Senators and offered a minor league baseball contract but Sullivan elected to return to Baylor. Upon his graduation from Baylor, Sullivan signed with the Dallas Eagles of the Texas League. Sullivan spent the 1954 season playing minor league baseball for the Artesia Numexers of the Longhorn League, a Class C affiliate of the Eagles. Sullivan began the 1955 season with the Class ASioux City Soos of the Western League until being called up to the Eagles for the last 52 games. Sullivan also spent the 1956 and 1957 season with the Eagles before retiring.
Coaching career
Upon his retirement from professional baseball, Sullivan began his coaching career as a football coach at Jane Long Middle School in Houston. Sullivan became an assistant football, baseball, and basketball coach at Bellaire High School before moving to Westbury High School where Sullivan was an assistant football coach and the head baseball coach. Sullivan ultimately returned to Bellaire High School as the head football coach. Sullivan also served a scout for the Philadelphia Phillies where, among other players, he scouted Nolan Ryan. Sullivan returned to Baylor in 1969 as the freshman football coach. In 1972, Grant Teaff promoted Sullivan to recruiting coordinator, a position he held until 1978. In 1974, Sullivan became Baylor Bears baseball's 17th head coach, a position he would hold for the next 21 seasons. Sullivan endured just three losing seasons over those 21 years, leading Baylor to three Southwest Conference tournament championships and back-to-back trips to the College World Series in 1977 and 1978. In addition to 1977 and 1978, Sullivan also led Baylor to the NCAA Tournament in 1991 and 1993. Sullivan coached thirty-one players who were selected in the Major League Baseball Draft, including four who were selected in the first round: Jon Perlman, Stan Hilton, Pat Combs, and Scott Ruffcorn. Sullivan coached ten players who went on to play Major League Baseball: Steve Macko, Perlman, Andy Beene, Fritzie Connally, Lee Tunnell, Ken Patterson, Blaine Beatty, Combs, Ruffcorn, and Dean Crow. On April 17, 2012, Steve Smith broke Sullivan's Baylor all-sports' record of 649 career victories.
Personal life
In 1959, Sullivan married his wife Marilyn. Together, they had a son, Vince, and a daughter, Tina. On March 22, 2012, Sullivan died at the age of 80 after a long battle with cancer. His memorial service was held at Baylor Ballpark on March 26.
