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:

Congratulations V,

Thank you for everything!

— Drew Beam (@drewbeam_) October 22, 2025

Shouldn’t even be a question who our next HC should be. Josh Elander is next and if it’s anyone else than there is a huge problem. https://t.co/EdHS1hcYGe

— cal stark (@stark_cal) October 22, 2025

First I want to Congratulate Coach V! He’s made an impact on me and every kid to ever come through the program! Secondly if Elander isn’t the next guy up then I don’t know what to say! He’s built to lead the Vols and continue the legacy! https://t.co/ie59nkFkpL

— Redmond Walsh (@RedmondWalsh1) October 22, 2025

Sad it’s over, but thankful it happened.
Josh Elander needs to be announced as Head man immediately.

Go Vols and Go Giants. Thanks #22

— Will Heflin (@Willheflin11) October 22, 2025

Congrats to Coach V! I’ll forever be grateful for what he’s done for me and this program
Now it’s time for Coach Elander to show what he’s made of. The glue that holds it all together and never gets enough credit. If it’s not him, something’s off.

— Jared Dickey (@Jared_Dickey3) October 22, 2025

V, Thank you for the memories! You gave a chance to a young kid to be great at the best University! You’ll always be a father figure to me! You always told me to never be a stranger to you! You gave Tennessee your all! Go be great in San Francisco! #ThankyouV pic.twitter.com/rKSzu7Gxbt

— Zander Sechrist (@Zander_Sechrist) October 22, 2025

Thank you Coach V for everything you’ve done. You’ve brought this program, players and fans nothing but joy and we are all grateful for it! I look forward to seeing Coach Elander take this role! There isn’t anyone that deserves it more than he does. He is the glue to it all! GBO!

— Christian Moore (@Moore10Chris) October 22, 2025

Thankful for everything V did for us and this program. Wish him nothing but the best because he deserves this.

The next choice couldn’t be any simpler. If you want what has been built to continue it has to be @josh_elander pic.twitter.com/gB8H89zuNU

— Pete Derkay (@petederkay) October 22, 2025