Tony Vitello gets emotional while talking about key player from Tennessee Vols' win against Texas A&M
Tennessee Vols head coach Tony Vitello show some emotion on Sunday after his team beat the Texas A&M Aggies 4-1 to set up a deciding game three in the 2024 College World Series. RHP Drew Beam got the start for the Vols on Sunday, giving up just one run over four innings before handing the […]
Tennessee Vols head coach Tony Vitello show some emotion on Sunday after his team beat the Texas A&M Aggies 4-1 to set up a deciding game three in the 2024 College World Series.
RHP Drew Beam got the start for the Vols on Sunday, giving up just one run over four innings before handing the ball to RHP Aaron Combs.
Combs gave Tennessee four shutout innings of relief, ensuring the Vols' chances of winning the game in the late innings (which they did).
After the game, Combs answered a question about Tennessee pitching coach Frank Anderson. When Combs was done answering, Vitello spoke up to point out that the redshirt junior is one of his favorite guys to coach, getting choked up in the process.
"He also wants to be coached," said Vitello. "And I mean, he says he’s available tomorrow. So maybe it’s premature, but one of my favorite guys to coach."
Vitello was then asked to elaborate on Combs.
"He’s just awesome, man. He’s got that stupid chuckle, and obviously he’s got some talent," said Vitello. "But he’s so receptive to anything that you bring to him and he’s so easy to have a conversation [with]. He’s got a real good balance of believing in himself, which these kids all see swagger and they listen to rap songs and stuff like that, so they have their chest out. But there’s got to be a decent combination there. You should think you’re the best when you’re between the lines, but you also need to realize you wouldn’t be between the lines without all the people that helped you. His family is awesome. And we’re excited about his brother coming here next year."
"Combsy is fun as hell. He’d be a fun hang, man, but I guess I’m too old," add Vitello.
There's no doubt that Vitello is invested in his players and who they are as people.
And I'm sure Vitello and Combs will get a chance to hang down the road when neither are worried about winning a game together anymore.
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