During his time at Tennessee, complete with a handful of SEC Championships and a National Championship ring, former UT baseball coach Tony Vitello became a rockstar. He was the edgy coach on the sideline of football games who was getting into lineman drills with assistant coaches or doing pushups at away games with the cheerleaders. He was someone who took a lemonade stand on campus early in his tenure and made it into a viral moment. But, most of all, he was someone that the Tennessee fanbase could relate to.
In just a handful of years with a heck of a lot of wins, Vitello had turned himself into a star with Tennessee Athletics and in the college baseball world.
Speaking of stars, though, Vitello mentioned a few during his farewell interview that was directed at his time at Tennessee and to the UT fans. While speaking with RTI and a few other outlets in a final interview, Vitello hit nine bullet points for why someone would want to be a Vol For Life.
One of the reasons is the stars that surround the region of East Tennessee and the Volunteer State as a whole, including Morgan Wallen and “the gal that dates the tight end,” Taylor Swift.
“Speaking of stars, the stars are in Tennessee,” Vitello said before his move to California. “You’ve got the biggest male and female performer in the world in Tennessee. Of course, Morgan (Wallen) and then the gal (Taylor Swift) that dates the tight end (Travis Kelce). West of the state— the shape of the state is unique. In the west you’ve got Ja Morant doing his thing. In the middle, you have Theo Von that the whole world loves. You come east and our damn mayor is Kane (Glenn Jacobs). He’s a superstar at his job he does now, but he was a superstar in the ring where I know I was one guy that was a fan back in the day, too. I don’t think people realize how unique it is until you give it some perspective.”
More From RTI: Former Tennessee Football Coach Congratulates Tony Vitello on MLB Job
Vitello also mentioned a former Tennessee player that he shared a close bond with, but not from his own baseball program. Vitello became friends with VFL Zakai Zeigler, rooting him on from the sidelines of basketball games with his signature camouflage pants and a Zeigler jersey. Zeigler returned the favor a time or two, both throwing out the first pitch before a game and wearing a Vitello shirt jersey to a press conference.
“I think everybody likes loyalty, but it’s just different here,” Vitello said. “People have your back in so many different capacities, and as I read that word loyalty— Zakai (Zeigler), look at what happened with his house and the reaction there. It’s just one of many examples of how people take care of you here as long as you are representing the Vols the way that you should. Zakai is a star.”
Just recently, Vitello was spotted sitting next to VFL and Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning at a high school football game in Chattanooga. Manning has been one of Tennessee Baseball’s top supporters over the last handful of years with his relationships with Vitello and Todd Helton. Manning was sitting atop Charles Schwab Stadium when Vitello’s Vols brought home a national title.
“People elevate their game and their lives when they’re at Tennessee,” Vitello said. “There’s so many different examples. Of course, my favorite — and probably everybody else’s — is Peyton Manning. We literally have the most successful on-field, off-field athlete in the world, in my opinion. Maybe (Lionel) Messi or somebody like that (if anyone) wants to argue. But it’s Peyton.”
With his energetic and infectious personality, Vitello will continue to make friends with the stars of the professional sports world out in California. But, from his interview on Thursday, it’s clear to see that he’ll be bringing his East Tennessee personality with him.
Check out everything that Tony Vitello said in his farewell interview here.
🧵: Tony Vitello and Zakai Zeigler
Feb. 27, 2022: Tony Vitello gives Zakai Zeigler a shoutout after Tennessee’s win over Auburn
March 1, 2023: Vitello sends his condolences from the team to Zeigler after the ACL injury suffered on Tuesday pic.twitter.com/ss5W8JTT12
— Rocky Top Insider (@rockytopinsider) March 2, 2023
