Tennessee insider clears up misconception about Tony Vitello, Kim Caldwell, and the Lady Vols
There are all kinds of “rumblings” and “rumors” flying around Rocky Top this week with the San Francisco Giants reportedly in hot pursuit of Tennessee Vols baseball coach Tony Vitello. The Giants are reportedly hoping to hire Vitello as the franchise’s next manager. One rumor flying around is that part of the reason Vitello may […]
There are all kinds of “rumblings” and “rumors” flying around Rocky Top this week with the San Francisco Giants reportedly in hot pursuit of Tennessee Vols baseball coach Tony Vitello.
The Giants are reportedly hoping to hire Vitello as the franchise’s next manager.
One rumor flying around is that part of the reason Vitello may be willing to leave a great job at Tennessee is the way NIL funds/revenue sharing are being allocated. Some have suggested that Vitello is unhappy with how much funding the baseball program is receiving compared to what Kim Caldwell and the Lady Vols are receiving. To be clear, there’s been no confirmation about Vitello’s feelings on the NIL/revenue-sharing situation at Tennessee.
Longtime Tennessee insider clears up misconception about Tony Vitello, Kim Caldwell, and the Lady Vols
VolQuest’s Austin Price appeared on 104.5 The Zone’s Ramon and Will on Tuesday, and he was asked about the Vitello/Lady Vols rumblings.
Price made it clear that Vitello is very supportive of the Lady Vols.
“Listen, I don’t think that Tony Vitello is ever going to hate on Kim Caldwell and her success, or anything like that,” said Price. “I think he is uber supportive of her, just like he is of Rick Barnes or Josh Heupel. They all want more (NIL resources). I don’t know what her rev share number is compared to what it was a year ago — obviously, the rev share wasn’t even a thing a year ago. It was NIL.
“So the whole thing’s kind of morphed over the last six months, when Tennessee became more involved — and colleges all became more involved — with the rev share part of this, versus just NIL and collectives. And so NIL and collectives, with certain kids, can take whatever the rev share number is and take it over the top to get you where you need to be financially to get the deals done. But I think Tony is very supportive of the Lady Vols. I don’t think this is a he’s mad at Kim Caldwell type of thing.”
We’ll see what happens with Vitello and the Giants — news could break at any time. But until then, at least fans know there’s no drama between Tony V and Kim Caldwell.
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The San Francisco Giants are reportedly hoping to hire Tennessee Vols baseball coach Tony Vitello as their next manager
