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'Sad it's over, thankful it happened': Former Tennessee players thank Tony Vitello

IMG_3593by: Grant Ramey3 hours agoGrantRamey
tony vitello garrett wright tennessee
Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Tony Vitello era is over for Tennessee Baseball, with the head coach of the Vols agreeing to a deal on Wednesday to become the next manager of the San Francisco Giants. 

Vitello over the course of eight seasons took Tennessee from the bottom of the SEC to the top of the college baseball world, winning the 2024 College World Series, going to the College World Series three times and taking the Vols to two other NCAA Super Regionals. 

Tennessee went from 29 wins in its first season under Vitello to 40 or more wins six times, 50 or more wins three times and a program-record 60 wins in 2024. He led the Vols to SEC Tournament championships and SEC regular-season championships in both 2022 and 2024. 

After the news broke on Wednesday, former Tennessee players took to social media to thank Vitello and also go to bat for associate head coach and recruiting coordinator Josh Elander to be the next head coach of the Vols: