Tony Vitello’s tenure on Rocky Top has officially come to a close. According to a report from Jeff Passan and Pete Thamel on Wednesday afternoon, Vitello has accepted the opportunity to become the next manager of the San Francisco Giants.
Vitello’s career record is astounding. He helped resurrect a Tennessee baseball program that was stuck in the mud and turned the Volunteers into a fired-up group that the UT fanbase rallied behind. During his time in Knoxville, Vitello and the Vols won the 2024 National Championship, were two-time SEC Tournament champions, were two-time SEC regular season champions, and made three appearances in the College World Series. Vitello was also named the 2022 SEC Coach of the Year.
The reaction from Tennessee fans online has been bittersweet. While the sting of losing a national championship-winning coach is tough in the moment, most fans online have shown their absolute appreciation for what Vitello did while he was in Knoxville. A handful of former players have also expressed their gratitude for their time spent with Vitello on Rocky Top.
More From RTI: Danny White Releases Statement About Tony Vitello’s Departure To San Francisco
Here’s a look at some of the top social media reactions after the news of Vitello’s hiring by the San Francisco Giants became official:
V, Thank you for the memories! You gave a chance to a young kid to be great at the best University! You’ll always be a father figure to me! You always told me to never be a stranger to you! You gave Tennessee your all! Go be great in San Francisco! #ThankyouV pic.twitter.com/rKSzu7Gxbt
— Zander Sechrist (@Zander_Sechrist) October 22, 2025
Tony Vitello at Tennessee:
•341-131 record
•2024 National Champion
•2x SEC Tournament Champion (’22, ’24)
•2x SEC Regular Season Champion (’22, ’24)
•3x CWS Appearances (’21, ’23, ’24)
•SEC Coach of the Year (’22) pic.twitter.com/5cofzsyAYp— Rocky Top Insider (@rockytopinsider) October 22, 2025
This is a no brainer. Elander must be the guy. https://t.co/2osnI6KTRb
— Jack Foster (@jackfostermedia) October 22, 2025
Congratulations V,
Thank you for everything!
— Drew Beam (@drewbeam_) October 22, 2025
— Jack Foster (@jackfostermedia) October 22, 2025
Nothing but love and respect for Coach V, more than deserved. Thank you for everything #22🧡
Now there’s only one thing to do: @josh_elander pic.twitter.com/LuYcRdr9aW
— Camden Sewell (@CamdenSewell) October 22, 2025
@josh_elander is the guy 100000%.
— Blake Burke (@blakeburke_) October 22, 2025
Sad it’s over, but thankful it happened.
Josh Elander needs to be announced as Head man immediately.Go Vols and Go Giants. Thanks #22
— Will Heflin (@Willheflin11) October 22, 2025
Tony Vitello is finalizing the deal to the @SFGiants, @JeffPassan reports
Leaving Tennessee after a very successful tenure, with a national championship and multiple SEC titles.
Built Vols into a monster, and college baseball is losing a fantastic promoter of the sport.
— Trey Wallace (@TreyWallace_) October 22, 2025
we called it. he built the foundation. his guys will continue it. pic.twitter.com/itKwbh9S5q
— Barstool Rocky Top (@BarstoolTenn) October 22, 2025
The Tony Vitello era is over at Tennessee. 341–131 (125–85 SEC) record, one national championship, two SEC regular season championships and two SEC Tournament titles.
— Dan Harralson (@danharralson) October 22, 2025
Some interesting notes on the Tony Vitello timeline to the @SFGiants:
– Tony’s camp and the Giants had been talking for at least a couple of weeks
– The Giants originally wanted a decision this past weekend, but with Tony undecided, that deadline was pushed back.
– Tony…
— Kendall Rogers (@KendallRogers) October 22, 2025
This is history in the making with a college baseball head coach going directly into an #MLB managerial role. Obviously, tough news for @Vol_Baseball, but what he did to transform that program was unreal. Now, it’s hugely important for the #Vols to take the torch forward. https://t.co/hDQEX306DV
— Kendall Rogers (@KendallRogers) October 22, 2025
It has to be Josh Elander pic.twitter.com/OC6oxgoAFl
— gmannVOLS (@gmannVOLS) October 22, 2025
— WildasaMink (@wildasamink_) October 22, 2025
I’d burn a couch but they cost too much.
— grit (@GRITknox) October 22, 2025
Two things are true.
As a lifelong UT fan, I’m gutted by the prospect of Tony V’s departure.
As a human, I’m thrilled he has the chance to chase one of only 30 dream jobs.
If we truly believe in what he built, we can be happy for him and optimistic about UT’s baseball future.
— Wes Boling (@WesBolingTN) October 22, 2025
Thanks #CoachVitello establishing the standard, and I hate that you’re leaving, but I wish you nothing but success. @Vol_Baseball
— Pyro Jesus (@AbleMass) October 22, 2025
Tony brought this fanbase a level of happiness we sorely needed at the time. He gave us a reason to be happy about Tennessee athletics again. We owe him more than he’ll ever know. All the best Coach! 🍊⚾️
— Troy Elliott (@volracefan72) October 22, 2025
Sad day for the Vols. I wanted him to stay like everyone. I will be pulling for the Giants… https://t.co/IfYaunureU
— Big Josh (@BigJosh61) October 22, 2025
— Diamond Vols (@DiamondVols) October 22, 2025
Goodnight, sweet prince. pic.twitter.com/DKbsYg5Nqb
— DRVawl (@DRVawl) October 22, 2025
Vols, we got the Natty in baseball. He resurrected a program amongst an elite number of teams. Can’t be mad at a coach who wants to get to the next level. The first one at that. Happy for him. Not the result fans wanted (or the right Pantone of Orange…) but thrilled for him
— Pam Chvotkin, Storyteller (@reddusfoximus) October 22, 2025
Crushing, but I’ll always love this guy.
The program my Dad played for in the 70s was always a sleeping giant that was largely asleep for decades until this guy arrived. He changed it all, and got us that ring — and nobody can take that away.
Thanks for everything, Tony V 🧡 https://t.co/PKNgbRpd4r
— Brett Edgerton (@EditorEdge) October 22, 2025
Good night my sweet prince. 💔 pic.twitter.com/s1QTpWPq3H
— Jess Volliday (@jessvolliday) October 22, 2025
https://t.co/KfDSIHJScl pic.twitter.com/mjvhbdZXO5
— VolBandit (@VolBandit3) October 22, 2025
Elander or bust. Anything else is ruining the progress this program has made over the years. https://t.co/SwtUZ9MwDE
— Sam Beard (@_beard11) October 22, 2025
Co-sign. https://t.co/4XrIG5519I
— Reed Carringer (@ReedCarringer) October 22, 2025
I don’t know much (anything) about Tony Vitello, but I choosing to trust Buster on this one #SFGiants
— Julian Marcus DeGuzman (@julianOfGuzman) October 22, 2025
Thank you, Tony Vitello!
— The House of Orange (@HouseofOrangeTN) October 22, 2025
Tony Vitello is officially headed to San Francisco.
It’s going to be VERY interesting to see what happens with Tennessee, especially on the recruiting trail.
Man…
— Longhorn Baseball News (@HornsBsblNews) October 22, 2025
Legendary run by Tony Vitello at Tennessee
-52 Players Drafted
-10 First Round Picks
-341 Wins
-2 SEC Regular Season Titles
-2 SEC Tournament Titles
-5 Regional Championships
-3 College World Series Births
-1 National ChampionshipThank you, Tony🙏 pic.twitter.com/yGVggurCNd
— More Important Issues (@More_Issues) October 22, 2025
TONY VITELLO ON HIS WAY TO SAN FRANCISCO
A HOME RUN HIRE pic.twitter.com/RQCDJbKVE6
— Giant Hot Takes (@GiantHotTakes) October 22, 2025
*More reactions will be added throughout the day*
