Tony Vitello trolls former Tennessee star Drew Gilbert before reunion in MLB

Days after news broke of the San Francisco Giants’ pursuit, Tony Vitello left Tennessee for the big leagues. He made history as the first-ever college baseball coach to go directly to MLB without any pro coaching experience as he became their new manager.

It will also allow Vitello to reunite with former Vols star Drew Gilbert. In fact, Vitello pointed that out immediately during a lengthy statement to reporters on Friday.

The Houston Astros drafted Gilbert in the first round of the 2022 MLB Amateur Draft and later traded him to the New York Mets in the Justin Verlander trade. San Francisco then traded for Gilbert in July 2025, and he made his MLB debut in August. Now, he has a familiar face in the dugout, and Vitello immediately trolled him about it.

“By now, Vitello started his remarks, “you all know I officially accepted a position to babysit Drew Gilbert.”

Gilbert saw great success under Vitello on Rocky Top as he became a first-round pick. He had a career .314 batting average over his three years while hitting 22 home runs and driving in 140 RBI. He turned in his biggest season as a junior in 2022 when he hit .362 with 11 home runs and 70 RBI, while also throwing 8.1 scoreless innings across seven appearances on the pitcher’s mound.

Tony Vitello: ‘I feel like I’m a VFL’

Tony Vitello took over at Tennessee in 2018, marking his first college head coaching job. He previously worked as an assistant at his alma mater, Missouri, as well as TCU and Arkansas before arriving on Rocky Top.

Since Vitello’s hire, the Volunteers have become an SEC powerhouse. They won their first-ever College World Series in 2024 after making it to Omaha a year earlier. Vitello has a 341-131 overall record with the Vols, including a 125-85 mark in conference play to go with two conference regular season titles and a conference tournament crown.

Vitello also said he considers himself a Vol For Life even after making what he called a “selfish” decision to leave for the majors. In the process, he also threw some shade at Lane Kiffin while expressing his love for the Tennessee community.

“I’ve always tried to be a good teammate, but I feel like I made a selfish decision that was one I needed to make,” Vitello said. “It’s the right decision and I just hope it doesn’t give me Lane Kiffin status around here, because I feel like I’m a VFL. I think if someone truly invests in being a VFL for any amount of time, they’re just that – a Vol For Life. That’s what I am in my mind.

“I think one thing we coach our players up on is peace of mind and you make your own decisions. You create your own definition of success. For me, I’m a VFL. Which made me think, driving around last night, why would somebody want to be a VFL? Why do people love being a VFL? I’ve got a few reasons listed that may or may not be of interest to you all, but helps me get off my chest. “