Rumors are flying around this week that a couple of MLB teams are interested in hiring Tennessee Vols head coach Tony Vitello as their manager.

The San Francisco Giants and the Atlanta Braves are the two franchises that have been connected to Vitello this week. Both teams moved on from their managers earlier this week.

Vitello, who led the Vols to a national championship in 2024, has never played or coached at the MLB level.

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The Giants could’ve shut down speculation that they’re interested in Tony Vitello

Giants President of Baseball Operations Buster Posey spoke to reporters on Wednesday about the team’s plans this offseason, and he was asked point blank if he’ll consider hiring a college baseball coach to fill the vacant manager role.

“I know you don’t want to get into specific names, but could it include people who are NCAA coaches?” asked a reporter.

“Um, no, I can’t expand on that,” responded Posey. “Because I’ve mentioned that I’m going to keep it tight. So, sorry, not going to answer that.”

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Ultimately, I’d be surprised if the Giants or Braves hire Vitello, or any other NCAA head coach for that matter. It would be unprecedented move — especially in Vitello’s case since he’s never been a player or a coach at the MLB level. Hiring Vitello to run an MLB clubhouse would be a big risk. I’m not saying he wouldn’t be successful, but no one really knows how a popular college baseball coach with no MLB experience would translate.

Posey’s answer, though, makes it seem like the Giants may have some interest in at least kicking the tires on Vitello. Otherwise, why wouldn’t Posey just say that he’s not going to consider a college baseball coach? That’s a path that no MLB team has gone down (Pat Murphy, the current manager of the Milwaukee Brewers, is a former college baseball head coach, but he also played in the minor leagues and served as a bench coach for nearly a decade). It’s not like it would be breaking news that the Giants want a manager with some level of MLB experience.

Vols fans will likely be on edge until every MLB opening is filled this fall. The last thing anyone in East Tennessee wants to see is Tony V leaving town.

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Related: The national media refuses to admit it, but Tennessee’s win over Mississippi State proved the Vols are a championship caliber team

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This story was originally reported by A to Z Sports on Oct 2, 2025, where it first appeared in the Nashville section. Add A to Z Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.