Tony Vitello isn’t just the head coach for the Tennessee baseball team. He’s a front-row type of fan of all of the Vols’ teams.
Vitello, going into his seventh season as the head coach of Tennessee baseball, can often be seen at Tennessee football and basketball games during the offseason. Vitello dressed up as head coach Josh Heupel during a Halloween football game in 2022 and once famously sped through a press conference to make sure he wasn’t late to a big SEC game for Tennessee basketball.
The Tennessee baseball coach went viral during a basketball game last year as he wore a cutoff Uros Plavsic shirt jersey with a white bandana headband courtside.
Vitello quickly commented on the Vols’ football season when asked if he had any interest in resurrecting the two-way days from quarterback Nico Iamaleava’s high school playing career. Vitello, with a big laugh, said that Iamaleava’s best use is still on the gridiron.
“I think anything Nico has provided the baseball program has been great so far,” Vitello said with a laugh. “And he’s to stay on the football field, it’s been entertainment and a lot of yelling at the TV. But that bowl game was a lot of fun and a great way to start 2024 for the Vols. His future is bright, but I think really just the program in general, the future is bright for us.”
Tennessee Baseball HC Tony Vitello talks Vol Football’s Citrus Bowl win, QB Nico Iamaleava, and HoFer Todd Helton on Thursday in Knoxville ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/FTvuPhcA5Z
— Rocky Top Insider (@rockytopinsider) January 25, 2024
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Vitello’s quick comment on the Tennessee football program came during his season preview press conference on Thursday in Knoxville. Vitello spoke about several topics including the Vols’ shortstop battle, Tennessee’s plan for the catcher position, early ideas on the weekend pitching rotation, and much more. Tennessee pitcher AJ Russell and first baseman Blake Burke also spoke to the media about the upcoming season on Thursday.
Check out Tony Vitello’s full Thursday press conference below:
