Tennessee baseball coach Tony Vitello is finalizing a deal to become the next manager of the San Francisco Giants, sources tell me and @jeffpassan. Vitello, 47, will be the first ever to jump from college coach to MLB manager without any professional experience. pic.twitter.com/A43z7x8ScP
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) October 22, 2025
San Francisco is finalizing a deal to hire Tony Vitello as the Giants’ manager, according to Pete Thamel of ESPN. He served as Tennessee’s head coach from 2018-25.
“Tennessee baseball coach Tony Vitello is finalizing a deal to become the next manager of the San Francisco Giants, sources tell me and Jeff Passan,” Thamel announced on social media. “Vitello, 47, will be the first ever to jump from college coach to MLB manager without any professional experience.”
Vitello compiled a 341–131 (125–85 SEC) record with the Vols, winning one national championship, two SEC regular season championships and two SEC Tournament titles.
He does not have prior experience coaching in Major League Baseball.
San Francisco will open its upcoming MLB season against the Yankees on March 25, 2026 at Oracle Park in San Francisco, California.
The Giants have former Tennessee baseball players within their organization.
Drew Gilbert and Blade Tidwell were traded from the Mets to San Francisco for right-handed pitcher Tyler Rogers on July 30. Tidwell was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento after being traded. He made his MLB debut on May 4 with New York.
Gavin Kilen was selected by the Giants in the first round (No. 13 overall) from Tennessee in the 2025 MLB draft.
Maui Ahuna was selected by San Francisco in the fourth round of the 2023 MLB draft 2023 (No. 117 overall).
Vitello went to Tennessee after serving as an assistant coach at Arkansas (2014-17), TCU (2011-13) and Missouri (2003-10). He played at Missouri from 2000-02.
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