Giants' Tony Vitello praises Tennessee coaching staff and roster as NCAA Tournament looms

The San Francisco Giants made a highly unusual move this offseason with their managerial hire, choosing to do something that had never been done in MLB history—though so far, it has not paid off.

The Giants hired former Tennessee baseball coach Tony Vitello. When Vitello took the job, he made it clear that he believed it was the right decision, even if it was a personal one.

“It was selfish. It was personal reasons," Vitello told reporters, according to the Knoxville News Sentinel. "I have always tried to be a good teammate, but I feel like I made a selfish decision that was one I needed to make. It was the right decision."

Now, with the college season ending, the NCAA Tournament is here. The Vols finished their first season without Vitello at 38-20 and will compete in a difficult Chapel Hill regional.

“The other teams in the tournament, other than the Tar Heels and the Vols, include the VCU Rams and the East Carolina Pirates. All four of these teams are no pushovers, as they each have a solid case to make a run, but if the tournament plays out the way that many will predict, then the Tar Heels and the Vols will have the chance to play against each other at least once, which is likely going to be the toughest game for the Vols in this whole tournament,” SI’s Caleb Sisk wrote.

Vitello was asked about Tennessee earning a No. 2 seed and their chances in the regional. He made it clear that the roster and coaching staff have what it takes to win.

“Just cause you’re hosting doesn’t mean you’re gonna win… Obviously (Tennessee) is capable because of their coaching staff and it’s a talented roster,” Vitello said.

The bond between Vols fans and Vitello remains strong, as expected, given his role in leading the program to a national championship. Head coach Josh Elander has spent the past seven seasons under Vitello, learning from him.

Now, it is Elander’s turn to guide Tennessee on a potential trip to Omaha. The Volunteers have been playing their best baseball as of late. Vitello’s confidence in the Vols could help his former team make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.

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