Vitello to Giants; Tennessee Promotes Josh Elander

Tony Vitello has been hired as the San Francisco Giants’ manager, a historic jump from college to the majors as the first modern coach without prior professional managing experience; Giants president of baseball operations Buster Posey cited Vitello’s 341–131 record and the 2024 College World Series title when announcing the hire. The move followed San Francisco’s disappointing 2025 season and the managerial vacancy after Bob Melvin’s dismissal. Three days after Vitello left Tennessee, the Vols promoted longtime assistant Josh Elander to be the program’s 26th head coach, a decision AD Danny White called the obvious choice. Elander, on Vitello’s staff since 2018 and promoted to associate head coach in 2022, served as recruiting coordinator, hitting coach and third-base coach while helping Tennessee reach six NCAA tournaments, five straight Super Regionals, three College World Series and the 2024 national title. Tennessee briefly pursued outside candidates (including Coastal Carolina’s Kevin Schnall) before elevating Elander, and both the Giants and Vols expressed optimism about the transitions.