The San Francisco Giants are making a big splash at their manager spot. After rumors were spreading that they were in deep talks to make Tony Vitello, the Tennessee baseball coach, their new manager, it's now in the final stages of being decided.
According to Pete Thamel of ESPN, the Giants are finalizing a deal to make Vitello the team's new manager. This isn't just a massive decision from the Giants; it's a big one for the baseball world as well.
The Giants are bringing in Vitello to be the new manager, taking over Bob Melvin after two years in San Francisco. Now, the Giants have made MLB history with their new manager.
The Giants are finalizing a deal to hire Tennessee baseball coach Tony Vitello as manager
"Tennessee baseball coach Tony Vitello is finalizing a deal to become the next manager of the San Francisco Giants, sources tell me and Jeff Passan." Thamel reports.
Tennessee baseball coach Tony Vitello is finalizing a deal to become the next manager of the San Francisco Giants, sources tell me and @jeffpassan. Vitello, 47, will be the first ever to jump from college coach to MLB manager without any professional experience. Pic.twitter.com/A43z7x8ScP
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) October 22, 2025
This is a huge move from the Giants. Not only is this bringing in a new manager, who could change the course of the franchise, but it's also a move that's making some very interesting MLB history.
As Thamel mentions, "Vitello, 47, will be the first ever to jump from college coach to MLB manager without any professional experience."
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Throughout MLB history, most managers have been in the Majors before as a coach. But Vitello hasn't been in the Majors before, and is making the leap from college to the MLB to be a team's manager.
It's an unprecedented move for Vitello and the Giants, and one that will be closely monitored. It could spark a massive change in managerial hiring if he goes well.
Vitello was wildly successful in Tennessee. He has made five NCAA regionals, four NCAA super regionals, and three College World Series appearances, winning the 2024 College Baseball World Series over Texas A&M for Tennessee's first National title.
Coming off an 81-81 season, the Giants have some interesting pieces and a willing ownership to work with. How Vitello makes the transition to the Majors will be one of the main storylines across the Major Leagues in 2026, as his success could alter the course of future managerial searches across the Major Leagues.
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