My inbox had as many messages about Tennessee baseball as it did Tennessee football this past week. That’s how significant the departure of national championship baseball coach Tony Vitello was.

Vitello left the Vols to become manager of the San Francisco Giants. He will be missed.

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Greg Vitello writes: Appreciate the words in your column on Tony. Our time in Knoxville was one for the ages. Fantastic part of our lives.

We are forever grateful for the way we were treated. Enjoyed reading your columns over the years. Continued success. Please stay well and safe.

My response: Thanks, Greg. I’m glad you enjoyed your time in Knoxville.

Tennessee fans will treasure the eight years your son was here. He wasn’t just a championship coach. He was so much fun.

And he made all of college baseball more fun, too.

Something else: He made his program as accessible as any SEC coach I’ve covered. By making players so available to media and fans, people got to know them – just as they got to know their head coach.

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Terry writes: I hate to see Tony V. leave as much as anybody does. I wish him the best of luck as well.

The average MLB manager stay at a franchise is 3.1 years. Hopefully, he will survive that. We will however have a problem if he leaves MLB to return to college to another SEC school.

Some sportswriter in Arkansas has deemed Tony as the successor to longtime coach Van Horn when he retires.

My response: That’s possible. If Vitello left the pros, any college program would love to have him, and Arkansas has a strong program and rabid fan base.

Vitello faces a huge challenge coaching the Giants in a division that includes franchises as affluent as the Dodgers and Padres. But he also faced a huge challenge in taking over the Tennessee baseball program.

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I wouldn’t bet against him.

Earl writes: Enjoyed your article on Tony. Judy and I are very sad to see Tony go.

At the same time, we’re proud of him and wish him well. We hope he wins 3 out of the next 5 World’s Series.

My response: Thanks. Thousands of Tennessee fans share your sentiments.

Michael writes: I just hope Alabama or Florida don’t hire Vitello after the Giants fire him.

My response: Vitello might last longer than you think with the Giants. But college baseball wouldn’t be his only option.

He would make a terrific TV baseball analyst.

Jimmy writes: Tennessee gave up 21 points and 298 yards to a high school level offense in the first half (against Kentucky). This defense is beyond pathetic.

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Defensive coordinator Tim Banks has got to go.

My response: When you consider how inept Kentucky’s offense has been all season, the Vols pass defense hit a new low in coverage. But I can’t imagine coach Josh Heupel changing defensive coordinators.

The Vols were good on defense last season, Heupel values continuity on his staff, and the Vols have played without their two top cornerbacks – including preseason All-American Jermod McCoy – all season.

Jack writes: Joey Aguilar’s deep passing alone is going to result in some serious interest from NFL teams. Can’t recall too many college QB’s with better deep ball touch. We lucked up.

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My response: Accuracy on the deep ball is highly valued in the NFL because it’s harder for receivers to get as much separation from defensive backs. Aguilar has a nice touch.

I also think NFL scouts will take note of how effectively Aguilar picked up Tennessee’s offense even though he didn’t transfer from UCLA until after spring practice.

Jim writes: Are the Commodores really that good or are they just a flash in the pan? Do the Vols need to take them as a real football team?

My response: Obviously, you’re kidding. Vanderbilt is the best team remaining on Tennessee’s schedule

Glenn writes: I watch a lot of SEC football games thanks to the DVR. Diego Pavia in my view is the most dangerous QB in the SEC.

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His field vision, quick run decisions and passing accuracy can shred a defense. He was terrific against LSU. It’ll be fun to watch him finish out his college career. His talent reminds me of Johnny Manziel when he played at Texas A&M.

My response: You are preaching to the choir.

Manziel might have had more talent and was a better pure passer. But there are similarities, including a knack for improvising and decision-making.

ADAMS: Tennessee baseball can hire another good coach but can’t replace Tony Vitello | Adams

Pavia routinely plays through contact and breaks tackles – even when struck by much bigger defenders. So did Manziel.

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Manziel could elevate the play of his teammates. But nobody is better at that than Pavia.

John Adams is a senior columnist. He may be reached at 865-342-6284 or john.adams@knoxnews.com.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee baseball fans thank Tony Vitello for what he did for Vols