Curt Schilling says he’s ‘very interested’ in Tennessee coaching job
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Curt Schilling, a 3-time World Series champion and 6-time All-Star pitcher, is apparently interested in thrusting himself into the college baseball world at a premier program.
ESPN Major League Baseball insider Buster Olney reported late Wednesday afternoon that the 58-year-old Schilling is interested in succeeding Tony Vitello as the coach at Tennessee. Vitello agreed to a deal to become the next manager of the San Francisco Giants earlier on Wednesday, leaving the position in Knoxville open.
Schilling backed up Olney’s report on his interest a few minutes later on his social media account, writing that he’s “very interested” in the Tennessee coaching job.
Schilling currently lives in Tennessee, so that’s the connection there that could potentially lure the former World Series hero to Knoxville. Schilling is well-versed in the game of baseball as a player, pitching for 5 franchises and winning championships with the Arizona Diamondbacks and Boston Red Sox. But Schilling has never been a coach or manager at any level of baseball, so his interest in becoming a college coach carries particular intrigue.
Vitello had been the Tennessee coach since 2018, taking the Volunteers to the College World Series 3 times and leading the program to its only national championship in 2024. That means Schilling or whoever fills the vacancy in Knoxville has some big shoes to fill. Tennessee pitching coach Frank Anderson was named interim head coach on Wednesday.
Schilling began his legendary major-league career in 1988 with the Baltimore Orioles and finished it in 2007 with the Red Sox, winning his 2nd of 2 World Series titles with Boston in that final season.
Cory Nightingale, a former sportswriter and sports editor at the Miami Herald and Palm Beach Post, is a South Florida-based freelance writer who covers Alabama for SaturdayDownSouth.com.
