Oct 24, 2025
3 min read
Tennessee State's longtime baseball leader called it a selfish decision.
Tony Vitello doesn't want 'Kiffin Lane status' after leaving Tennessee for MLB giants
Former longtime Tennessee baseball leader calls it a 'selfish decision'
The University of Tennessee lost its most beloved coach this week and has lost a national championship in recent years, with Tony Vitello accepting the manager's position with the San Francisco Giants.
"Tony V" is the first college coach to make the jump to MLB manager.Not only did Vitello never train in the professional ranks, but he never played in them.This is an incredible opportunity that he felt he should take.Vitello just hopes he doesn't have "Lean Coffin Status" anymore.
"I feel like I made a selfish decision that I had to make," Vitello told reporters, via 247Sports."It's the right decision and I hope it doesn't give me Lane Kiffin status here because I feel like I'm a VFL. I think if anybody's really invested in being a VFL for a long time, it's just that, a Vol For Life. That's what I think."
Kiffin declined to coach the Tennessee football program in 2009 during his mid-year coaching career.Despite only being 34 years old, like Vitellia, distrust and intimidation of him prompted him to fight against the fan.Kiffin also led a new team into a new era as Tennessee finished with a winning record and began a bowl appearance.
However, Kiffin decided to up sticks after one season in Knoxville and go to USC, leaving students and fans feeling let down.After all, Tennessee is used to consistent leadership when it comes to the football program.Kiffin is the third man to lead the blocks since 1977.
When news of Kiffin's departure broke, Knoxville students flocked to the campus and set several items on fire, including a mattress and a trash can outside the athletic center.It was an emotional outburst rooted in both pride and anger.
Vitelie When he chose his idea, there were no burning tires or student demonstrations.It was the most successful thing from him and what he did.He has coordinated the volls since 2018, went 341-131 as manager and took the program to National National Research in 2024. It has a long history.If there's anger for anyone in Knoxville, it's game director Danny White, who couldn't find a way to convince Vitello to stay.
Now, if things don't work out in the majors and Vitello goes back to college and takes another job in the SEC, like at Arkansas for example, then you might see Tony V approaching "Lana Kiffin status."However, on some level, your average Tennessee fan understands that Vitello couldn't pass up this MLB opportunity.
মন্টে কিফিন বলেছেন যে তার ছেলের কখনই টেনেসি ছেড়ে যাওয়া উচিত নয়।Hopefully Vitello doesn't feel the same way in the future.
