Josh Elander stood in the film room at Lindsey Nelson Stadium for the first time as the Tennessee baseball coach on Oct. 25.
Moments earlier, athletics director Danny White announced Elander as the next coach to the Vols. Elander walked into the room with his wife, Brittany, and their three daughters, A.J., Maxie and Ava. He held Maxie while he made his first remarks to the players as their coach.
Then Elander took the floor in a video put out by Tennessee and addressed his team.
Here is what he said:
“Pretty crazy huh? Man, I am so excited. I appreciate you guys bearing with me. I know it was a little emotional the last few days. It was just about protecting what we built as a group. A lot of time goes into this. Watched you guys when you were babies. Told your parents, made them promises we would make you better people — we would make you better players. That is not going to change. I am just so excited to keep this show going. We’ve got winners in this room. We’ve got different pieces, good people. Let’s go win a hell of a lot of ballgames. That is where I am at right now. I am so excited more than anything just to have the opportunity to wear the Power T at least for one more day and get between the lines with you guys and go compete. That is what I love to do. You guys know. That is why I am in coaching. I love my girls. I love you guys. I love competing between those lines. It has always been a standard of this program. It always will be. Let’s just get better together. Thankful, grateful for another day. I am just so excited because I get to do it with you guys. That is what was so important to me. It’s just to continue this thing together. I love you guys. I am so excited for the future. Hopefully, this is a good little jolt. Maybe a little cold weather, warm you up a little bit, right? We are going to have some of the best facilities in college baseball, some of the best support across the country. I am just so excited to lead you guys. But again this isn’t going to be some big, crazy change, right? I think it is an incredible opportunity to put our own little stamp on this deal together and I think those decisions need to be made together as a group. From the bottom of my heart, I love you guys. I am thankful for all of you. I am so excited for the future and I can’t wait to lead you guys this spring. Love y’all.”
Elander was hired after a three-day coaching search following Tony Vitello‘s Oct. 22 exit to manage the San Francisco Giants after eight seasons at Tennessee. Former Tennessee players rapidly went on social media to voice their support for Elander’s candidacy after Vitello’s decision.
White said he asked Elander to be a candidate for the job a part of a national search. Elander interviewed on Oct. 24 and was named the coach the following day.
Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at michael.wilson@knoxnews.com and follow him on X @ByMikeWilson. If you enjoy Mike’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it.