There's only one scenario where Tennessee fans need to worry about losing baseball coach Tony Vitello
Over the last several years, Tennessee Vols baseball coach Tony Vitello has gone from a relatively unknown coach to a household name among college baseball fans. Vitello, who had never been a head coach before landing the Tennessee job after the 2017 season, has helped turn the Vols' baseball program into one of the most […]
Over the last several years, Tennessee Vols baseball coach Tony Vitello has gone from a relatively unknown coach to a household name among college baseball fans.
Vitello, who had never been a head coach before landing the Tennessee job after the 2017 season, has helped turn the Vols' baseball program into one of the most dominant forces in the sport.
The St Louis native brings a unique blend of energy, self-awareness, and, at times, quirkiness to the entire athletic department at Tennessee.
Vitello, who played college baseball at Missouri, is incredibly candid in his interactions with the media, which has endeared him to Vols fans. He's also regularly seen supporting other sports at Tennessee.
Most importantly, Vitello wins games…a lot of them.
The Vols are 285-110 since Vitello took over as the program's head coach. Tennessee has won three SEC East division titles, two SEC regular season titles, and two SEC Tournament championships over the last four seasons. The Vols are also the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament for the second time in three years.
Because Vitello isn't from Tennessee and didn't play for the Vols, there's always been a small amount of concern that another program (like Missouri, Vitello's alma mater, or Arkansas, where Vitello was an assistant for four seasons) could eventually steal the popular head coach from UT.
Vitello, however, seems incredibly happy in Knoxville. The athletic department fully supports him, which is extremely important. As long as Vitello continues to receive support and get whatever he thinks he needs to help the program succeed, it's hard to see him leaving for another college job. You never say never, but it would be quite a surprise if Vitello bolted for Missouri or any other college head coaching job.
There is one scenario, though, where I could see Vitello leaving Tennessee.
And while it's not a likely scenario, I don't think it's something that can be fully ruled out.
If MLB ever comes calling, that could be tough for Vitello to pass up. Managing at the highest level is likely every baseball coach's dream. And it's something that Vitello would have to consider if an MLB team ever approached him.
College coaches aren't usually pursued by MLB teams for manager jobs at the big league level. MLB teams typically promote from the minor leagues. But with college baseball becoming more popular by the day, plus the advanced development of players over the last decade, it wouldn't be a total surprise if a rogue MLB team decided to get creative and pursue a college coach. If that ever happened, you'd have to assume that Vitello would be a top option.
A sitting college coach hasn't been hired as a manager by an MLB team since the New York Yankees hired Dick Howser away from Florida State in 1979.
Pat Murphy, who was the head coach at Notre Dame from 1988 to 1994 and Arizona State from 1995 to 2009, is currently the manager of the Milwaukee Brewers. But he was a bench coach for the Brewers for the last seven years before taking over as the franchise's manager ahead of the 2024 season.
(No, I don't think Vitello would ever leave for a bench coach job in MLB.)
Leaving for MLB isn't a likely scenario for Vitello — especially since he never played in the minor leagues, nor has he coached at the level — but all it takes is one team thinking outside of the box to make an offer that Tony V can't refuse.
Do I think it ever happens? Probably not.
But can we completely rule it out? Definitely not.
ESPN makes strong statement about Wake Forest RHP Chase Burns that will have Vols fans wishing he was still in Knoxville
Tennessee could definitely use him in postseason play….every program could
