Vols fans may have Drew Gibert to blame if Tony Vitello leaves Tennessee for the San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants have zeroed in on Tennessee Vols baseball coach Tony Vitello in their search for a new manager
The San Francisco Giants are hoping to hire Tennessee Vols baseball coach Tony Vitello as the franchise’s next manager.
Vitello has never coached or played in the minor leagues/MLB, but his success at Tennessee and his big personality makes him an intriguing choice to become the first college coach with no pro experience to jump straight into a manager’s role.
Vols fans are obviously hoping Vitello will stay on Rocky Top, but a chance to manage in the big leagues would be tough for any baseball lifer to pass up.
“I don’t know if any of this happens without Drew Gilbert” – Vols fans may have a former Tennessee player to blame if Tony Vitello leaves
The Athletic’s Andrew Baggarly, who first mentioned Vitello as an option for the Giants, appeared on KNBR’s Murph and Markus on Monday and he suggested that former Vols outfielder Drew Gilbert is a main reason that San Francisco has interest in hiring Tennessee’s head coach.
Gilbert, who played for Vitello at Tennessee from 2020 to 2022, was traded from the New York Mets to the San Francisco Giants this past summer.
The former Vol made his big league debut with the Giants shortly after the trade, and he instantly gave the franchise a jolt of energy.
“Honestly, what I knew was Drew Gilbert — and I don’t know if any of this happens without Drew Gilbert, I really don’t,” said Baggarly (via SFGate). “That is one of the questions I’d be really interested to ask Buster, if this does end up culminating in a press conference to introduce Tony Vitello as their next manager. How much did what Drew Gilbert did to the clubhouse, to the dugout, to enliven everything, bring some spirits and energy, how much did that sort of make you wake up and think, ‘You know, maybe that’s what this organization really needs. Maybe that’s what this clubhouse really needs.’”
Gilbert isn’t the only former Vol who played under Vitello that’s currently in the Giants’ organization. Former Tennessee RHP Blade Tidwell was included the trade that sent Gilbert from the Mets to the Giants.
Former Vols infielders Maui Ahuna and Gavin Kilen are also currently with the Giants (in the minor leagues).
The Giants open the 2026 season at home against the New York Yankees. If Vitello leaves Tennessee for the Giants, he’ll be at the center of the baseball world on opening day.
Tennessee Volunteers News
One important thing fans need to understand about Tony Vitello potentially leaving the Tennessee Vols for the San Francisco Giants
Multiple reports indicated on Saturday that the San Francisco Giants are on the verge of hiring Tennessee Vols baseball coach Tony Vitello
