MLB Buzz: Giants Could Sign ‘Top Target’ Manager Within 72 Hours
The San Francisco Giants appear close to making a very interesting hire at manager. According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, Tennessee baseball coach Tony Vitello stands out as the leading candidate right now.
“The decision on whether Tennessee coach Tony Vitello will be the next manager of the San Francisco Giants is expected to come in the next 24 to 72 hours, sources tell me and @PeteThamel,” Passan wrote on Saturday. “Vitello has emerged as the top target of the Giants, but the sides have yet to reach a deal.”
The Giants’ interest in Vitello stems from their desire for a fresh voice. President of baseball operations Buster Posey is thinking beyond traditional candidates. Vitello’s track record in rebuilding college programs aligns with San Francisco’s needs after parting ways with Bob Melvin following a sub-.500 season in 2025.
Vitello’s lack of MLB experience is offset by proven success in high-pressure environments, much like other college coaches who have made the leap.
Vitello’s journey in baseball began as a player at the University of Missouri, where he competed from 2000 to 2002 and earned a management degree. He transitioned into coaching, serving as an assistant at Missouri from 2003 to 2010, then at TCU from 2011 to 2013, and Arkansas from 2014 to 2017. During these stints, he built a reputation as a top recruiter, signing multiple high-ranked classes and developing players who advanced to the majors, including six first-round draft picks.
In 2018, Vitello took over as head coach at Tennessee, transforming a program that had won just seven conference games the prior year into a powerhouse. Under his guidance, the Volunteers captured the 2024 national championship, multiple SEC titles, and consistently reached the College World Series.
Vitello’s energetic style, focus on player development, and embrace of analytics have earned him accolades like National Coach of the Year.