US EditionGiants hiring Tennessee’s Vitello as manager, gambling on a college coach with no pro experience
- Tony Vitello is finalizing a deal to move from Tennessee to manage the San Francisco Giants on Oct 22, 2025, marking the first college-to-MLB managerial hire without pro experience.
- Tennessee's record under Vitello and his recruiting reputation made him a standout, as he led the Volunteers to the 2024 national championship with a 341-131 record.
- The Giants agreed to pay the $3 million buyout to secure Tony Vitello, choosing him over Brandon Hyde, Kurt Suzuki and Vance Wilson after Nick Hundley withdrew.
- Staffing changes and an expanded workload are immediate consequences of the hire as bench coach Ryan Christenson and third-base coach Matt Williams reportedly will not return, and Vitello faces roughly 90 more games and major-league veterans.
- This hire could mark a shift in MLB's traditionally conservative approach, as the Giants make their first college-to-MLB manager leap, paying a $3 million buyout for Vitello, who posted a 341-131 record at Tennessee.
122 Articles
122 Articles
Vols AD expects 'ton of interest' to replace Tony Vitello
Tennessee athletics director Danny White is embarking on a national search for a new baseball manager following the San Francisco Giants' historic hiring of Tony Vitello on Wednesday, but is not daunted by the awkward time of year on the…
Daily Democrat
Who is Tony Vitello? New SF Giants manager is first to go from college to MLB
There is no other way to describe the 40th manager in the history of the San Francisco Giants besides unprecedented. Never before has a coach gone directly from the college ranks to the major leagues with no prior experience, but Tony Vitello will do exactly that when he is introduced as the Giants’ next manager at Oracle Park next Thursday. The club announced the groundbreaking hire Wednesday, three weeks after president of baseball operations …
The Tennessean
Knox NewsHow Danny White is doing unique Tennessee baseball coaching search after Tony Vitello exit
Danny White is heading into a baseball coaching search in October after Tennessee coach Tony Vitello left to become the San Francisco Giants manager.
Tony Vitello has been one of the most successful managers in the university stage and will be the first to jump to MLB without previous experience
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