Tennessee promoted Josh Elander on Saturday to switch Tony Vitello as head coach of the baseball crew.
Vitello departed the Volunteers on Wednesday to grow to be the supervisor of the San Francisco Giants.
Elander, 34, initially joined Vitello’s workers as a recruiting coordinator and assistant coach in 2018. He was promoted to assistant head coach after the 2022 season.
“From the outset of this nationwide search, Josh emerged because the simple best choice,” athletic director Danny White stated. “His relentless dedication has helped rework Tennessee baseball right into a powerhouse, and we’re proud to have him as our subsequent head coach on Rocky Prime. His affect evokes excellence in each side of our program and we look ahead to persevering with our quest for championships on the diamond underneath Josh’s steerage!”
Elander has labored intently with the crew’s hitters and catchers whereas additionally serving because the third base coach, serving to Tennessee make journeys to the Faculty World Collection in 2021, 2023 and 2024. The Vols claimed this system’s first nationwide championship in 2024.
“I am extremely grateful for the chance right here on Rocky Prime,” Elander stated. “I am actually blissful for our gamers to proceed constructing on what we have already constructed right here. The hunt continues, and we’re nonetheless excited. Love this place and these folks. So grateful for the perfect that is but to come back.”
Elander has additionally developed a powerful popularity for recruiting, bringing within the nation’s No. 1-rated class in each 2024 and 2025.
Elander was a sixth-round draft decide by the Atlanta Braves within the 2012 draft out of TCU. He performed 4 seasons within the Braves’ minor league system and one within the Arizona Diamondbacks’ system, batting .273 with 21 homers and 135 RBIs in 222 video games.
Vitello, 47, was employed in San Francisco to switch Bob Melvin. It marked the primary time an MLB crew employed a supervisor straight from a collegiate program with no expertise within the skilled ranks.
–Area Degree Media