Giants Vitello Baseball FILE - Tennessee coach Tony Vitello, center, hoists the championship trophy following his team's 6-5 victory against Texas A&M in Game 3 of the NCAA College World Series baseball finals in Omaha, Neb., June 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz, File) (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) (Rebecca S. Gratz/AP)
Giants Vitello Baseball FILE - Tennessee head coach Tony Vitello, left, talks with pitcher Kirby Connell before an NCAA college baseball super regional game against Notre Dame, June 11, 2022, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Randy Sartin, File) (Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) (Randy Sartin/AP)
Giants Vitello Baseball FILE - Tennessee coach Tony Vitello, left, cheers on his players in the fifth inning of an NCAA college baseball tournament super regional game against Southern Mississippi, Sunday, June 11, 2023, in Hattiesburg, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File) (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) (Rogelio V. Solis/AP)
Giants Vitello Baseball FILE - Tennessee head coach Tony Vitello walks on the field before an NCAA College World Series baseball game against Florida State on Wednesday, June 19, 2024, in Omaha, Neb. (AP Photo/Mike Buscher, File) (Copyright 2024. The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) (Mike Buscher/AP)
The San Francisco Giants are hiring Tennessee Volunteers coach Tony Vitello as their new manager for his first pro coaching job.
It's an unprecedented gamble on a coach with no pro experience by San Francisco executive Buster Posey. The 47-year-old Vitello is making the jump after spending his entire career at the college level.
Tennessee athletic director Danny White announced Wednesday that Vitello was leaving for the Giants, congratulating him in a statement on an “incredible opportunity."
“We wish him the best as he embarks on this new chapter in his career and thank him for everything he has done to transform Tennessee baseball into a championship program,” White said.
Vitello guided the Volunteers to regular success in the Southeastern Conference since being hired in June 2017. That included leading the program to its first NCAA title last year to go with six regional appearances, five NCAA super regional berths and three College World Series trips.
Seeking a new voice and direction after the Giants missed the playoffs for a fourth straight year, Posey insisted he wouldn't rule out anyone in his search for someone with what he called an “obsessive” work ethic and attention to detail.
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