Tony Vitello shares excitement for Josh Elander landing Tennessee job
By Rolando Rosa
Published:
Tennessee baseball will now be under the direction of Josh Elander, who became the school’s 26th head coach in the history of the program on Monday. Elander was previously Tennessee’s associated head coach and recruiting coordinator prior to earning the promotion now that Tony Vitello is the San Francisco Giants’ manager.
Vietello, who guided Tennessee to a College World Series title in 2024, released a statement on Monday in which he spoke effusively about Elander’s leadership abilities.
“I am incredibly happy for Josh and his entire family but I’m even more happy for the players. They will be led with character and integrity,” Vitello said. “He has been and will be the epitome of a coach that players will give their all for.”
Elander played for Vitello while at TCU. He also worked for Vitello at Arkansas as a voluntary assistant in 2017. The bond between the 2 men is special and will defy distance now that Vitello is headed to the West Coast.
“Tony V, a lot of ways I could go with this,” Elander said in his opening press conference. “We made a lot of great memories. A lot of wins, a lot of running around on the road, a lot of dreaming to make this place something great. And I really believe our staff did that together. I’m so excited for you, man. I can’t wait to see you win a World Series. But thank you for taking a chance on me and showing me what it means to leave your soul in the game. I hope our players always feel that way as well.”
Tennessee baseball reached the Super Regionals last season before bowing out against Arkansas. The Vols will begin the Elander era with a game vs. UCLA from Arlington, Texas in the Amegy Bank College Baseball Series on Feb. 27 (4 p.m. ET).
