The San Francisco Giants have announced the hiring of University of Tennessee baseball coach Tony Vitello as their new manager.
Vitello’s historic jump to the big leagues—he is the first manager to make a direct NCAA-to-MLB move without holding any pro coaching experience—does not appear to be about the money, given what the 47-year-old made at Tennessee. Vitello signed a five-year contract in 2024 that pays out $3 million per year, which is higher than most active MLB managers.
The Volunteers spent more on their baseball program than any other school in 2023-24 at $13.4 million, the most recent period with complete data in Sportico’s college database.
Vitello’s salary offer from the Giants has not been revealed. Because he stayed in Knoxville through June 30, his buyout decreased from $4 million to $3 million.
Bob Melvin, San Francisco’s manager this past season, joined the Giants with a $4 million annual salary, according to multiple reports. The Giants owe Melvin that same amount for next season, per USA Today, after they exercised his 2026 option only to fire him several months later.
Under Vitello, Tennessee made the College World Series three times in seven years and won it all in 2024. Before then, the Volunteers hadn’t made the College World Series or even the NCAA Tournament since 2005.
Eight Tennessee players were selected in the first three rounds of this year’s MLB Draft, including No. 5 pick Liam Doyle, No. 13 pick Gavin Kilen and No. 20 pick Andrew Fischer. The Giants drafted Kilen and already have outfielder Drew Gilbert, who also played for Vitello at Tennessee, on their 40-man roster.