Danny White is encouraging Tennessee baseball players to see the “tremendous opportunity” he believes they have by being Vols.
But they have the option to not be Vols anymore in the wake of coach Tony Vitello leaving to become the manager of the San Francisco Giants on Oct. 22.
“They have a tremendous opportunity here at Tennessee,” White said. “Like every student-athlete we have here, if they choose to do something different, then that’s their decision.”
Players can transfer in a 30-day window following Vitello’s departure, but undergraduate players would have to sit out the upcoming season at another Division I since the school year has already started. Graduate transfers are the exception, which means pitcher Mark Hindy is eligible. Hindy transferred to Tennessee following three seasons at William & Mary and one at Duke.
Players could transfer to another level and play immediately, including junior college. Junior college carries an added layer since a player can transfer into a junior college and be eligible for the MLB Draft following the season.
Players at four-year schools have to have completed their junior year or be 21 to enter the draft. Players in junior college can enter the draft after either season.
White is entering a national coaching search that will include associate head coach Josh Elander. He is imploring players to let the search play out before making a decision about their future.
“I’ll be asking them to give the new head coach and coaching staff (a chance) − however that plays out,” White said. “In this case, that might be something that’s very familiar for them, it might be something that’s different.”
He said he would ask players to asses what is really “for their own best interests.”
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.