Tony Vitello left the field at Lindsey Nelson Stadium, shouting words to those in attendance in the left field porches.
“Thank y’all. We got a meeting. Love y’all,” Vitello said.
He was met with a crowd effort that attempted to fill out the stands beyond the outfield wall. The word spread around social media, and many fans and students — alongside former players under Vitello, Jared Dickey, and Cal Stark — were seen in attendance. As he debates taking the San Francisco Giants managerial job, Vitello is still active around Tennessee baseball.
He was very active in the Vols’ fall scrimmage on Tuesday at Lindsey Nelson Stadium, interacting with fans in attendance — making his rounds on the field as he observed the team playing. One at-bat featured a ball rolling down the first-base line in foul territory, and Vitello chased after it toward the outfield wall.
The scrimmage was set to begin at 2:30 p.m. ET, and fans quickly began inserting their voices. Before the 4 o’clock hour struck, “We want Tony” chants broke out.
The current Vols head coach heard those chanting at him and turned around to toss a ball to the fans who began the chant. The ball read “Much love” and “Go Vols!” without a signature.
As the scrimmage rolled on, one of the fraternity houses visible down the first-base line, Phi Kappa Psi, posted a banner on the side of the house.
It read, “Please Stay Tony!!!,” with a Power T as the first letter of his name.
Once the final inning of Tennessee’s intrasquad scrimmage wrapped up, Vitello made sure to address those who attended. He turned and delivered the message that the team has a meeting, and thanked those who showed up.
While Vitello’s plans remain unannounced, the watch will remain. Tennessee athletics have endured its fair share of coaching stories, from Lane Kiffin’s overnight departure in 2010 to the revolt of Greg Schiano’s hiring as football coach in 2017, dubbed “Schiano Sunday.”
This chapter is a new one, taking its toll on the baseball program — one that Vitello brought to the pinnacle of college baseball when he won the first national championship in program history in 2024.
Tennessee baseball coach Tony Vitello stands in the field during an intrasquad scrimmage at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025.
