The first Major League Baseball team to hire a woman to a full-time coaching role is now blazing a new trail to the college ranks.
Tennessee baseball coach Tony Vitello has finalized a deal to replace the fired Bob Melvin after the San Francisco Giants‘ disappointing 81-81 campaign in 2025. The club has now missed the postseason for four years running.
This signing marks the first time in baseball history an MLB team has found its manager from the college ranks, but Vitello isn’t just any NCAA baseball coach.
The 47-year-old former Missouri infielder won a College World Series with the Volunteers in 2024 and already has several ‘Coach of the Year’ honors from various conferences and press organizations.
Since 2018, Vitello has gone 341-131 with an impressive 125-85 mark in the SEC – one of the country’s top conferences.
‘We wish him the best as he embarks on this new chapter in his career and thank him for everything he has done to transform Tennessee baseball into a championship program,’ Tennessee athletic director Danny White said in a Wednesday statement before the Giants had officially announced Vitello’s hiring.
Tony Vitello is the fiery former Tennessee coach who led the Vols to an NCAA title in 2024
Giants president Buster Posey was rumored to be interested in Vitello for a few days
The Giants have since confirmed the news.
‘We’re thrilled to welcome Tony to the Giants family,’ Giants president of baseball operations Buster Posey said in a statement. ‘Tony is one of the brightest, most innovative, and most respected coaches in college baseball today. Throughout our search, Tony’s leadership, competitiveness, and commitment to developing players stood out.
‘His ability to build strong, cohesive teams and his passion for the game align perfectly with the values of our organization. We look forward to the energy and direction he will bring, along with the memories to be made, as we focus on the future of Giants baseball.’
‘I’m incredibly honored and grateful for this opportunity,’ Vitello added. ‘I’m excited to lead this group of players and represent the San Francisco Giants. I can’t wait to get started and work to establish a culture that makes Giants faithful proud. I would like to thank Greg Johnson, Larry Baer, Buster Posey, and Zack Minasian for this responsibility and the opportunity to lead this iconic franchise both on and off the field.’
Vitello isn’t the only manager with college coaching experience. Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy spent 25 years in the college ranks before getting a minor-league role with the San Diego Padres. Later Murphy would serve as the Brewers bench coach before being promoted in 2024 and winning National League Manager of the Year honors.
San Francisco Giants general manager Zack Minasian, left, speaks next to president of baseball operations Buster Posey during a press conference earlier this month
Professional baseball is a significant departure from the college game, where hitters are allowed to use metal bats.
But it’s on the mound where Vitello will notice the biggest change. College pitchers typically throw with far less velocity, accuracy and movement than their counterparts in the minor and major leagues.
It was just five years ago that the Giants became the first team to hire a woman to a full-time coaching role when they promoted Alyssa Nakken internally. She has since joined the Cleveland Guardians organization in a player-development role.
The Giants disappointed in 2025, despite acquiring World Series-winning All-Star slugger Rafael Devers from the Boston Red Sox.
Devers reluctantly agreed to move from third to first base, but could finally be destined for a DH role next season depending on the team’s plan with 21-year-old former first-round pick, Bryce Eldridge.