SF Giants finalizing deal to hire University of Tennessee's Tony Vitello as new manager: sources

"SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- The San Francisco Giants are finalizing a deal to hire University of Tennessee head baseball coach Tony Vitello as their next manager, sources tell ESPN. After days of speculation, the team reportedly agreed to terms with Vitello on Tuesday. While Vitello has never worked in professional baseball, he's widely regarded as one of the best coaches in college baseball. RELATED: Giants talking with Bruce Bochy but not to manage, Posey says He took the University of Tennessee to the College World Series in three of the last five years, winning the NCAA National Championship in 2024."

"The Giants have instead trained their interest on Vitello, who has distinguished himself as one of the preeminent recruiters and talent developers in the country during a two-decade career as an assistant and head coach in college. The move from college to professional baseball is rare, though not unprecedented. Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy spent 25 years coaching in college before joining the San Diego Padres, with whom he managed in the minor leagues. Murphy then spent eight years as the Brewers' bench coach before taking over as manager in 2024, when he was named National League Manager of the Year."

Tony Vitello is finalizing a deal to become the San Francisco Giants manager after leading the University of Tennessee to the 2024 NCAA National Championship. Vitello has never worked in professional baseball and would be the first manager to move directly from a college program to the major leagues without prior pro experience. He replaces Bob Melvin, who was fired after the Giants finished 81-81 and missed the playoffs. Giants president of baseball operations Buster Posey considered other candidates but focused on Vitello because of his recruiting and talent-development reputation. The college-to-MLB transition is rare but has precedent.

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