Director of Athletics Danny White came under the harshest criticism of his Tennessee tenure this week when Tony Vitello left his perch atop the Volunteer baseball program to become the manager of the San Fransisco Giants.
Meeting with the media Friday, Tennessee basketball coach Rick Barnes defended White and his handling of the situation.
“People try to break it down and diagnose what went on here,” Barnes said. “So many people read into things that aren’t there. I mean, the bottom line is he had a chance to leave the University of Tennessee and go to the San Francisco Giants. And it’s not like he’s going to another university. That’d be something that I think you could talk about.”
That is a definite truth about Vitello’s situation. It was an incredibly unique opportunity and a tough one to turn down. The 47-year old isn’t just leaving for one of the 30 Major League Baseball managing jobs, but a top level managing job.
San Fransisco missed the playoffs by just two games a season ago. Its front office and ownership has shown a willingness to spend at a high level and help the club compete with the Los Angeles Dodgers and other top franchises.
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Barnes does not think that fans should blame White for Vitello’s departure, believing that the Vols’ athletic director and the university’s leadership have set individual sports up for success across the board.
“I can tell you from my position, being here on this campus and the administration that we have here from Randy Boyd to Donde Plowman and to Danny White — it’s the best in the country,” Barnes said. “It’s not even close. I’ve never seen people align like they are.
“I do know this, Danny has given every one of us what we need to compete at the highest level to give us a chance to play for the national championships in our sport. And if he hasn’t done it, I can assure you he’s trying to do it.”
Barnes has worked for four different athletic directors at Tennessee. Dave Hart hired him while John Currie and Phillip Fulmer also served as his boss before White stepped into the role in January 2020. Under White’s leadership, the athletic department has backed the basketball program financially as they look to compete in the new modern era of college athletics.
The Vols have been competitive in the NIL and revenue share space, helping Barnes and his staff sustain one of the SEC’s top programs.
