When Arkansas introduced Tony Vitello as an assistant baseball coach and recruiting coordinator four years ago, he called it "arguably the best assistant job in the country" while acknowledging he would like to be a head coach someday.
That day finally has arrived for the son of a high school baseball coach who describes himself as "married to the game."
Tennessee athletic director John Currie introduced Vitello as the Volunteers' new baseball coach Friday at Lindsey Nelson Stadium, on the field where Vitello will try to resurrect a program long dormant when it comes to success.
"Sitting on the bench watching my dad's teams, it's what I always knew I wanted to do," Vitello, 38, told a crowd that included university officials, fans and current and former Tennessee players.
"There's no question I wanted to be ready and prepared before I do it. I'm grateful for the opportunities. There really is no one day you're going to be ready. You just need the chance."
Also in the crowd Friday were Vitello's parents, whom he credited for his success as he gushed over the opportunity he has waited "a long time" for.
Vitello's father, Greg, spent nearly five decades as a high school baseball and soccer coach in St. Louis. That's where the new Vols coach got his competitive edge, Vitello said. He credited his mother, Kathy, for the people skills that have made him one of the top recruiters in college baseball.
Currie pointed to that ability to recruit as key in the decision to hire Vitello.
"We felt like we needed proven experience evaluating and recruiting at the highest level and understanding the grind of the Southeastern Conference," Currie said. "Our coach must also mentor our players, have technical knowledge across the sport and be able to build relationships with high school and club programs across our state and around the region. Our process has yielded a perfect fit in Tony Vitello."
Vitello outlined the basics of his recruiting strategy, saying he will work to get players from Tennessee first, then branch out. He also said he hopes to hire an assistant coach with head coaching experience as he tries to lead the Vols back to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2005.
Currie thanked many departments at the university for working to set up Vitello's introduction ceremony.
"But, he said, "let me add that it's my expectation that the next time they're working so hard to set up here on a Friday in June, it is for an NCAA ballgame and not a press conference, all right?"
Vitello, who has a five-year contract and will average an average salary of $493,000, thanked Currie for the opportunity.
"I'm forever grateful that somebody was willing to put themselves out there and give me this opportunity," Vitello said. "That's the standard I'm going to hold myself to, not anyone else's. It's to match the enthusiasm, not through words, but through actions on this field. A great day that I hope people think was a long time coming. But we'll have to prove that on the field."
Contact staff writer David Cobb at dcobb@timesfreepress.com.