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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.
As first reported by ESPN, Tennessee baseball coach Tony Vitello is finalizing a deal to replace the fired Bob Melvin after the San Francisco Giants' disappointing 81-81 campaign. 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
San Francisco Giants general manager Zack Minasian, left, speaks next to president of baseball operations Buster Posey during a press conference earlier this month
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.
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.
