Baseball insider says Tony Vitello is a 'candidate' for Texas A&M baseball opening
One of the biggest fears that Tennessee Vols fans have right now is that baseball coach Tony Vitello will leave for another job this offseason. Vitello, a former Missouri infielder who was hired by Tennessee in 2017, has done a tremendous job since taking over as the Vols baseball coach. In 2021, Tennessee won the […]
One of the biggest fears that Tennessee Vols fans have right now is that baseball coach Tony Vitello will leave for another job this offseason.
Vitello, a former Missouri infielder who was hired by Tennessee in 2017, has done a tremendous job since taking over as the Vols baseball coach.
In 2021, Tennessee won the SEC East for the first time since 1997.
Vitello's success has made the former Arkansas assistant a hot commodity in the coaching world.
According to college baseball insider Kendall Rogers, who covers college baseball for D1Baseball.com, Vitello is a candidate for the Texas A&M baseball job which became vacant last week when the Aggies fired longtime coach Rob Childress.
"A&M is a school that I think he is a candidate. Actually, I know he’s a candidate," said Rogers during an interview this week on WNML in Knoxville.
As for whether or not Vitello would leave Tennessee?
Well, that's up in the air according to Rogers.
“I think Tony is kind of his own guy," explained Rogers. "Let’s say (Texas A&M) offers him the job, I would probably put it at 50/50, to be honest with you."
"I think Tony is one of those guys that, if anything, he’s probably more motivated to stay there because people are saying he is definitely going,” added Rogers. “Tony is a guy that beats his own drum. He’s a single guy, he’s hard-nosed, he has a lot invested in those kids.”
Just because Vitello is a "candidate" for the Texas A&M job, doesn't mean he'll be offered the gig.
TCU's Jim Schlossnagle and Texas Tech’s Tim Tadlock are two candidates who will likely be high on Texas A&M's hot board. Other names such as East Carolina's Cliff Goodwin could also come into play.
If the Aggies decide to seriously pursue Vitello, then Tennessee will obviously have to dish out some cash to keep their baseball coach in Knoxville.
UT would also likely need to commit to some serious upgrades to Lindsey Nelson Stadium (beyond scheduled upgrades).
If the Vols are able to keep Vitello in Knoxville, it would be a major win for athletic director Danny White and the Tennessee fan base.
Featured image via Twitter
