Tennessee alumni and ESPN TV/radio personality Paul Finebaum didn’t waste any time sharing his thoughts on Tennessee Baseball and Tony Vitello. During his Monday edition of The Paul Finebaum Show, Finebaum didn’t hold back when talking about the Vols’ Super Regional elimination.
“There are a lot of motor homes that are halfway to Nebraska turning around right now,” Finebaum said on The Paul Finebaum Show Monday.
Finebaum began by talking about the team’s loss before eventually bringing his thoughts on Tennessee head coach Tony Vitello into the conversation.
“Well, it happened on Rocky Top,” Finebaum said. “Notre Dame came in there unheralded, the fourth-best team in the ACC, and beats not only the number one team in the tournament, but a team that many of the experts that you hear all the time, was possibly the best baseball team of all time. That ‘best baseball team of all time’ did not make it to the College World Series.”
“Tony V (Vitello) went a different direction,” Finebaum said. “Had he won, we all would’ve been saying that he’s unconventional, he’s brash, and he’s the best. He lost and he will pay for it. Listen, we don’t sugarcoat things here. He got his comeuppance [Sunday].”
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Vitello, the reigning SEC Coach of the Year, helped lead Tennessee to a final record of 57-9 this season, which is an astounding accomplishment. However, after losing two-of-three games to Notre Dame in the Knoxville Super Regional, the Volunteers’ season has abruptly ended.
“I think ultimately this is a complete meltdown,” Finebaum said via Sam Gillenwater of On3 Sports. “Tony Vitello was here a week ago talking about all the things that people don’t like about him. Let’s be honest. He comes off brash and a know it all.”
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Finebaum left no stone unturned over the course of the four-hour program as the ESPN host called Tennessee’s loss a complete meltdown.
“They lost at home,” Finebaum said. “Not in a last-second home run. They just melted down and that will be difficult to get over. They melted down to the fourth-best team in the ACC. This isn’t the ACC Network here, okay? There’s no way around it … It’s painful. It’s even more painful when you lose at home and don’t even get there.”
“The coach that didn’t care about anything, well, they’re getting a little bit of a taste of humble pie up on Rocky Top today,” Finebaum said. “A tough pill to swallow for the Volunteers. Peyton Manning showing up on Friday. Does Tennessee ever win when Peyton Manning shows up?”
14 Responses
Does Finebaum know anything about Baseball or is he just trying to stay relevant on the SEC Network? Never insinuate that any head coach of any sport on college level doesn’t care. Why? Just move on
Finebaum is just another sportscaster who thinks a lot more of himself than he is worth. If he’s so f’n great …. how come he isn’t a coach?!! Because all he can do is talk after the fact! Everybody has all the answers after things happen!
Vitello is the best damn coach in the country! I will back him!
He is a COACH! Not a freakin’ know it all sportscaster!
He’s just trying to stay relevant. Probably never picked up a bat in his weak ass life
Finebaum made it to the SEC Network because of being an over-the-top, brash prick on his Birmingham radio show, trashing every team that wasn’t Bama, with much of his nastiness being directed at his alma mater. Why? Because he knew the Bama fanbase loved it. So his lack of self-awareness is on full display here, calling a coach out for being brash.
I agree. Finebaum is not the last word. Just his opinion. I love our Vols win or lose. And they mostly won…what a record!!!
Paul doesn’t like baseball because the Tee ball stand reminds him of his own physique.
Everybody is acting like this is the first time in sports history that an underdog has knocked off the top team. That is why the games are played. Duh. Never give up is a given in sports. My blood runs Orange and I am disappointed but it happens. That is why we have tournaments, brackets, playoffs etc
Oh yeah. And to make money off the fans. Good luck to everyone in the WS.
Hey, let’s all just pick up that ole saying “just wait till next year”. Another saying “actions speak louder than words”. Words control one sometimes
If I am a bad boy and go to hell they will put me in a room where I am forced to watch Finebsum for eternity. He and his followers are a great way to fight insomnia and always put me to sleep. One of the most boring experiencrs in life is listening to sports or news pundits show their butts on TV.
I agree with Finebaum. Tennessee is arrogant and rude. A teams’ attitude ( good or bad) is a reflection of the coach. Vitale needs to teach more than just baseball skills. So many other baseball teams are great teams, yet, they keep their mouths shut and play ball. The team and the coach of Tennessee are poor role models for our youth. So thankful for coaches like the ones at North Carolina, Arkansas, Norte Dame, and more.
Hey Donna…start with getting coaches name right…our coach is not the drummer foe Joe Waksh..
Little bald man syndrome!
Tennessee was definitely the most talented team in the country, and their coach is a very talented baseball guy. But what Finebaum said echoes what most of us non-UT fans said about them all year: they are arrogant, a definite reflection of their coach, they enjoyed showing up their opponents. So when people (Lane Kiffin, Finebaum, etc) bash the Vols, you guys come unglued. When you and your team go out of your way to humiliate your opponents, you honestly shouldn’t expect any different treatment than what you dished out. It’s called eating crow. Bon apetit, Vols!
Bruce you have no clue what you are talking about. The Vols didn’t “ go out of your way to humiliate your opponents” as you put it. That is BS. They were cocky and loved to celebrate, but trying to humiliate another team, no.