Reports suggest that the San Francisco Giants are considering a unique and unconventional choice for their managerial position. According to information from The Athletic, the franchise is nearing a deal with Tony Vitello, the current head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers, to become their next manager.
Vitello, aged 47, has served as the head coach for the Volunteers for the past seven seasons, guiding them to a College World Series victory in 2024. Despite not having any prior experience in the major or minor leagues as a player, Vitello has established himself as one of the premier coaches in college baseball.
Vitello would be stepping into the role previously held by Bob Melvin, who was dismissed after the Giants concluded the season with an 81-81 record, failing to secure a playoff berth.
When contacted by The Athletic for comment on the report, Vitello reportedly responded with, “There is nothing to confirm.”
Jeff Passan of ESPN has corroborated that Vitello has emerged as the Giants’ primary target, although a final agreement has not yet been reached. Passan indicated that a decision regarding the hiring is anticipated within the next day or two, and that the buyout clause in Vitello’s contract with Tennessee amounts to $3 million.
Following stints as an assistant coach at Missouri, TCU, and Arkansas, Vitello took over the helm of the Volunteers’ baseball program in 2018 and orchestrated a remarkable turnaround. Within a year, he led the Vols back to the playoffs for the first time in 14 years, and since then, they have made three appearances in the College World Series (2021, 2023, and 2024).
The team experienced two outstanding seasons in 2022 and 2024, capturing both the SEC regular-season title and the SEC tournament in both years. The Volunteers’ 2024 championship marked the first in the school’s history and their first appearance in the World Series final since 1951.
However, given his lack of experience at the professional level, Vitello would be an unconventional choice for the Giants. Vitello has never held a coaching position in MLB, and unlike many managers, he did not play in the majors, transitioning directly from college baseball to coaching.
This would represent his first involvement in affiliated baseball.
This surprising move aligns with the bold approach of Buster Posey, who joined the Giants last fall as the president of baseball operations. During his introductory press conference, Posey characterized the team as being in “a memory-making business” and has discussed baseball from a broader perspective. The hiring of Vitello presents Posey with an opportunity to make a significant statement, and if Vitello proves successful, it could be a resounding success.
While it is not unheard of for MLB teams to hire former college coaches as managers, these coaches typically possess some prior experience in the major leagues before being considered. For instance, Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy spent several years as a head coach at Notre Dame and Arizona but also spent over a decade as a coach within the San Diego Padres and Brewers organizations before being promoted to manager.
Should the Giants proceed with hiring Vitello, he would be reunited with several of his former Tennessee players. Gavin Kilen, a second baseman, was San Francisco’s first-round draft pick in 2025, while Drew Gilbert and Blade Tidwell, both former Volunteers and 2022 draft picks, were acquired by the Giants prior to the July trade deadline.
