One event changed the trajectory of Tony Vitello's career at Tennessee
The Tennessee Vols stayed alive on Monday in the Men's College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska. Head coach Tony Vitello has rejuvenated his program into a consistent force in the SEC over the past handful of seasons. The team began the Vitello era with a measly 27-24 record. That's not bad by any means, but […]
The Tennessee Vols stayed alive on Monday in the Men's College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska. Head coach Tony Vitello has rejuvenated his program into a consistent force in the SEC over the past handful of seasons.
The team began the Vitello era with a measly 27-24 record. That's not bad by any means, but the Vols have taken a massive step forward since then. The timing is no coincidence. In 2018, Vitello was suspended for a Friday game against Vandy. Vitello received the suspension due to "prolonged arguing" during their series the weekend before against Kentucky.
He was suspended for that Sunday game versus UK (which the Vols won) as well as the Friday night game against Vanderbilt. Tennessee lost that Friday night game against the Commodores, but a switch seemingly flipped when all of that occurred. Since that suspension, the Vols are 208-74.
It's quite the coincidence – if you believe that's what it is for the Vols. Clearly, Tennessee has rallied around Vitello since that time, and he has built an impressive program in Knoxville. Now, they stand just a handful of wins away from a title in the sport.
Who knows if that would be the case if that suspension never happens?
© Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK
