TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Tony Vitello could be on the verge of making baseball history.
Much to Tennessee’s chagrin.
The Athletic was the first of multiple national outlets to report Saturday afternoon that Vitello, who guided the Volunteers to the 2024 national championship at the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska, was close to becoming the new manager of Major League Baseball’s San Francisco Giants. Should Vitello leave for the Giants, the 47-year-old would become the first college coach to become an MLB manager without having any previous experience in professional baseball.
“The decision on whether Tennessee coach Tony Vitello will be the next manager of the San Francisco Giants is expected to come in the next 24 to 72 hours,” ESPN baseball analyst Jeff Passan said Saturday afternoon through a social media post. “Vitello has emerged as the top target of the Giants, but the sides have yet to reach a deal.
“The buyout on Vitello’s contract at Tennessee is $3 million, according to sources.”