Former Mizzou infielder and assistant coach Tony Vitello is heading to the MLB . The Giants finalized a deal Wednesday afternoon to make Vitello its next manager. 

Vitello, who had led the University of Tennessee since 2018, became the first college coach to move directly into an MLB manager role without prior professional coaching experience, the Giants reported. 

During his eight seasons in Knoxville, Vitello guided the Volunteers in their first national championship in 2024.

Mizzou baseball alum Tony Vitello making MLB history

FILE – Tennessee coach Tony Vitello, center, hoists the championship trophy following his team’s 6-5 victory against Texas A&M in Game 3 of the NCAA College World Series baseball finals in Omaha, Neb., June 24, 2024. 

AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz, File

Before his coaching career took off, Vitello was an infielder at Mizzou from 2000-02 under head coach Tim Jamieson after transferring from Division II Spring Hill College. He returned to Columbia as an assistant coach in 2003 and spent eight seasons on Jamieson’s staff, coaching future big leaguers Max Scherzer and Kyle Gibson.

Vitello reportedly interviewed for the Tigers’ head coaching job following Jamieson’s departure but was passed over for Steve Bieser, who was later replaced by Kerrick Jackson after the 2023 season. Vitello also had assistant coaching jobs at University of Arkansas and TCU. 

A St. Louis native, Vitello graduated from De Smet Jesuit High School before making his mark in mid-Missouri with the Tigers.Â