"According to a trio of reporters at the Athletic, the Giants seem set to hire Tony Vitello, the current head coach at the University of Tennessee, in an unprecedented move. The deal isn't finalized yet, as Vitello told both the Athletic and the Knoxville News Sentinel on Saturday. Vitello, 47, has been considered one of the best coaches in college baseball and turned Tennessee from a Southeastern Conference doormat into a perennial top team in the nation."
"Tennessee has also produced several MLB players during that time, and the Giants have several former Volunteers in their organization: outfielder Drew Gilbert, pitcher Blade Tidwell and infielders Maui Ahuna and Gavin Kilen, the Giants' first-round pick in 2025. The Athletic's Andrew Baggarly first mentioned Vitello as a possible candidate all the way back on the day of the final game of the season - before the Giants had officially even fired Bob Melvin."
The San Francisco Giants appear close to hiring Tony Vitello, the University of Tennessee head coach, as their next manager, although no deal is finalized. Vitello, 47, transformed Tennessee into a national power, reaching five straight super regionals with three College World Series appearances and winning the 2024 national championship. Tennessee produced several MLB players during that span, and the Giants currently employ former Volunteers including Drew Gilbert, Blade Tidwell, Maui Ahuna and Gavin Kilen. Nick Hundley had been a leading internal candidate but withdrew from consideration. Vitello addressed his team after a fall scrimmage and openly discussed the reports.
Read at SFGATE
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