Tennessee issues statement on Tony Vitello’s departure to MLB
By Jake Faigus
Published:
The news that Tennessee baseball coach Tony Vitello is leaving to become the San Francisco Giants’ manager sent massive shockwaves across the college baseball landscape. It is the first time this jump has ever happened, and the Volunteers will miss him after he made them a baseball powerhouse.
As sad as the move is for Tennessee fans, athletic director Danny White, in a statement Wednesday, thanked Vitello and wished him well with the Giants.
“Congratulations to Tony on this incredible opportunity to lead the San Francisco Giants,” White said. “We wish him the best as he embarks on this new chapter in his career and thank him for everything he has done to transform Tennessee baseball into a championship program.
“The growth of baseball on Rocky Top has been remarkable, culminating in the 2024 National Championship. We are committed to continuously investing in the program at a championship level across all areas. Furthermore, the upcoming $109 million renovation of Lindsey Nelson Stadium will transform it into one of the premier baseball venues, providing an exceptional experience for the best sports fans.
“Our focus is on our players and coaching staff while finalizing the next steps in this evolving process.”
The official Tennessee baseball account on X also posted a “thank you” message to Vitello for all the good he did in Knoxville.
It will be interesting to see what happens from here for both sides, but Tennessee is in good hands moving forward, and Vitello gets to live out a dream as a manager in the MLB.
