The San Francisco Giants have officially appointed Tony Vitello as their new manager, marking a significant shift in the organization. This move, first reported by Baseball America’s Jacob Rudner and followed up by several other prominent sports journalists, represents one of the more audacious managerial hires in recent Major League Baseball history. While it is increasingly common for MLB teams to recruit coaches from the collegiate ranks, Vitello presents a unique profile as a lifelong college coach with no prior professional playing, coaching, or managerial experience.
Vitello, aged 47, has built an impressive resume as the head baseball coach at the University of Tennessee. Since he took the helm in June 2017, he led the Volunteers to their inaugural NCAA national championship in 2024, alongside multiple appearances at the College World Series in 2021 and 2023. Under his guidance, the Tennessee program also secured the SEC regular-season and tournament titles in both 2022 and 2024. Prior to his tenure at Tennessee, he served as an assistant coach at various universities, including Missouri, TCU, and Arkansas from 2003 to 2017.
The Giants’ decision to hire Vitello is underscored by the notable connections he has with the organization. A number of former players he coached, including Max Scherzer from Missouri, have advanced to the major leagues, while ten of his Tennessee players have achieved first-round draft status since he became head coach. Currently, the Giants have four former Tennessee players—Drew Gilbert, Blade Tidwell, Maui Ahuna, and anticipated 2025 first-rounder Gavin Kilen—within their ranks, establishing a mutual connection with Buster Posey, the Giants’ president of baseball operations.
This decision reflects a broader trend in baseball, where unconventional pathways are increasingly being recognized as viable options for leadership within teams. With Vitello at the helm, there is palpable excitement surrounding the Giants as they look to revitalize their franchise and leverage his successful collegiate coaching experience to build a strong future.