Report: Curt Schilling expresses interest in taking Tennessee baseball HC job to replace Tony Vitello

Tennessee baseball head coach Tony Vitello stunned the baseball world on Wednesday when he officially agreed to become the next manager of the San Francisco Giants. He became the first college baseball head coach to ever jump directly to an MLB managerial position in the sports’ history.

Following Vitello’s departure, a premier opening has become available at Tennessee. Over the past eight years, the Vols posted a 341-131 record and won the National Championship in 2024. While AD Danny White and the administration search for a coach, pitching coach Frank Anderson was promoted to interim head coach.

Another interesting name for the vacancy popped up Wednesday night, when ESPN‘s Buster Olney revealed that six-time All-Star and three-time World Series Champion Curt Schilling has expressed interest.

With Tony Vitello moving to the San Francisco Giants, the Tennessee HC job is open — and among those interested is longtime pitcher Curt Schilling, who lives in Tennessee.

— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) October 22, 2025

Schilling, who lives in Tennessee, was previously with ESPN as part of its ‘Baseball Tonight‘ broadcast from 2010-2016. He however was fired in 2016 after making insensitive comments on social media.

“ESPN is an inclusive company,” they said in a statement. “Curt Schilling has been advised that his conduct was unacceptable and his employment with ESPN has been terminated.”

Shortly after Olney revealed that Schilling was interested in the job, D1Baseball‘s Kendall Rogers shut down any possibility of the former right-handed pitcher becoming an actual candidate.

Not going to lie – this made me do a double take and mildly laugh. I'll go ahead and put 0% chance on that one. https://t.co/SoaybyQ4vl

— Kendall Rogers (@KendallRogers) October 22, 2025

Frank Anderson named interim head coach following Vitello’s departure

Athletic Director Danny White explained the decision to name Anderson as the interim head coach Wednesday afternoon. Anderson was given the honor over associate head coach Josh Elander, who received a large swell of support from fans to be named the interim HC once the move was officially announced.

“It was a combination of factors,” White said. “Frank’s obviously been a head coach, but probably more importantly as quick as I’d like to move I’d like Josh to focus on his candidacy. He’s kind of in the middle of all this too. Up until this morning, the entire staff didn’t know the decision that Tony was going to make.”

Vitello leaves large shoes to fill in Knoxville, but the talented staff brought in under him should be more than up to the challenge this season. Beyond that, an extensive search is expected to take place to ensure the continued success of the Tennessee baseball program. Although Schiling is apparently putting out feelers, don’t expect him to be seriously considered.