Tennessee baseball coach Tony Vitello had the internet buzzing after a fiery, passionate postgame press conference opener on Sunday night in Knoxville.
Vitello’s opening statement nearly went for seven minutes after he tackled a handful of topics revolving around the term “success.” The Tennessee coach talked about what success means for himself, the players, and the team, while also talking about past examples of success on the diamond and why it means so much to him.
Vitello’s press conference clip quickly hit the internet after Tennessee’s 12-1 win over Evansville and spread like wildfire. College baseball fan accounts, media members, and fans alike drew positive reactions from Vitello’s remarks with some folks claiming that the Tennessee coach’s rant is something that every player and coach needs to listen to.
More from RTI: The Top Clips From Tony Vitello’s Fiery Postgame Promo
Check out some of the best reactions on X from Sunday and Monday below:
A masterclass speech on defining success from Tony Vitello
It’s hard not to cheer for this guy! pic.twitter.com/d4tRQ2cVQF
— Bussin’ With The Boys (@BussinWTB) June 10, 2024
DROP THE MIC moment from Tennessee Volunteers head coach Tony Vitello in postgame.
How could anyone not want to play for this dude? pic.twitter.com/8U9DBmemUr
— SEC Unfiltered (@SECUnfiltered) June 10, 2024
ABSOLUTE FIRE from @Vol_Baseball HC Tony Vitello
* Fired Up
* Pissed Off
* NIL / Recruiting Blast
* Incredible shout out to Evansville
* Crying in a bathroom
* Father’s Day
* Cabo, Ibiza, TulumWorth the full 6 mins watch https://t.co/dRObHWfumk
— Peter Burns (@PeterBurnsESPN) June 10, 2024
This. 🫡
Tony Vitello speaks the truth and it’s extremely refreshing to see him take the media head on.
No doubt his players would run through a wall for the guy and while I hope it’s not this year vs the Gators, I sincerely hope he wins it all one day pic.twitter.com/3hVKP2CyKU
— Quentin Mills (@Qmilllyy) June 10, 2024
I really don’t like Tennessee but I freaking love Tony Vitello and it’s no secret why so many people want to play for him.
He’s truly one of a kind 🫡 pic.twitter.com/nwWtpLnEdn
— J.P. Hovey (@jhovey34) June 10, 2024
I can’t wait to read the transcript of Tony Vitello’s opening statement tonight.
— Joe Rexrode (@joerexrode) June 10, 2024
This Tony Vitello post game presser on how to define success is fantastic. Worth watching for sure. Says he’d like to see everyone in Omaha for Father’s Day, but if you can’t make it there he’d recommend Cabo, Ibiza or Tulum. pic.twitter.com/IucZZf90l7
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) June 10, 2024
The definition of success: Tony Vitello pic.twitter.com/V6QvXWDJ8x
— More Important Issues (@More_Issues) June 10, 2024
Congrats @Vol_Baseball. Another trip to Omaha. Gritty bunch where a ton of guys played different roles and helped off the bench. Kudos to coach Tony Vitello & staff. Who wouldn’t want to play for this guy? #cws #NCAABaseball #vols #tennessee pic.twitter.com/pXfyWEz6G6
— Scot Drucker (@ScottyD30) June 10, 2024
Tony Vitello loves his players, Tennessee’s Players love him..
He will go to bat for them every single day, he lets them have fun & play loose
That’s why he continues to bring in the best classes in HS & the portal..
And all the haters can say is “hE’s cLaSsLeSs” Ok Bud
— SullenSerf (@SullenSerf) June 10, 2024
If you are searching for a Monday Morning Motivation look no further than Tony Vitello define what success means to him.
This is how the Tennessee Baseball Coach opened his postgame press conference after the Vols clinched a College World Series spot:
— Noah Bieniek (@NoahB77_) June 10, 2024
Tony Vitello will go to bat for his guys. That’s always been evident, but it’s showing here in this postgame press conference.
— Eric Cain (@_Cainer) June 10, 2024
“You didn’t like the [2022] team? So what. They got you talking about college baseball. I can tell you that.” pic.twitter.com/vdAFjb05QI
— Ric Butler (@Ric_Butler) June 10, 2024
Tony Vitello’s opening statement was 1,369 words and 6:52 long.
He discussed:
What success is to him
Jared Dickey being an example of it
The 2022 team being a success
Noah Webster being a patriot
Spending Father’s Day in Omaha again
And much morehttps://t.co/QNjYclOthZ
— Ryan Schumpert (@rschump00) June 10, 2024
Comments/Replies to Vitello’s Video on X
Pop: “Absolutely love Coach V. We are beyond lucky to have him leading our men into battle.”
Voldog: “OMG I love this guy. Did he tell the media off or what! We are so blessed to have Tony as our baseball coach and with speeches like that I would walk off a cliff with him! Now you know why this team loves their coach! Go VOLS”
Libby: “What an inspiring person! Not to mention coach. This is why this team is such a success! He supports his players and staff and is down to earth and this is what makes a great coach. He’s also their mentor! Proud to say I’m a UT alumni GBO!!!”
Terry: “What an awesome COACH. As an Evansville Aces fan I can get behind that guy. No wonder they have had the SUCCESS they have had. Every coach and player needs to hear that entire message.”
Nomura Baseball Academy: “Attitude reflect leadership. Tennessee plays with the winning attitude and that’s a reflection of the championship leadership by Coach Tony V. Love it”
Mark: “I thought maybe I didn’t like him because is his lack of composure, but now that I heard him say ‘I lack composure’, I love him!”
GoVols: “I mean him and [Rodney Garner] need to be locked down tight. [Josh Heupel] also but those two!”
Sooie: “Vitello has me doing push-ups in my room now at 11:30pm”
