Giants Eye Tennessee's Tony Vitello as New Manager to Revitalize Playoff Hopes

San Francisco Giants Set to Hire Tony Vitello
The San Francisco Giants are reportedly on the verge of hiring Tony Vitello, Tennessee's head coach, as their new manager, according to sources from The Athletic's Andrew Baggarly, Brittany Ghiroli, and Ken Rosenthal. This potential move comes as the Giants look to bounce back from a disappointing 81-81 season in 2025 and to secure their first playoff appearance since 2021.
Vitello’s Impressive Track Record
If finalized, Vitello would take over from Bob Melvin, who had a record of 161-163 over two seasons with San Francisco. Vitello brings with him a wealth of experience from the college ranks, having spent the last 23 seasons in various assistant coaching roles before taking the helm at Tennessee in June 2017. During his tenure, he accumulated an impressive 341-131 record, claiming two SEC titles and leading the Volunteers to their first national championship in 2024.
A Historic Move for the Giants
ESPN's Jeff Passan highlighted that Vitello's hiring would mark a historic transition, as he has never coached professionally at any level. His annual salary at Tennessee exceeds $3 million, making him the second-highest-paid coach in Division I. The financial terms of a potential deal with the Giants are still under discussion.
Future Prospects for San Francisco
Giants president of baseball operations, Buster Posey, is keen to find a manager who can steer the team back to playoff contention. The organization has been aggressive in pursuing free agents but has faced setbacks, including a collapsed deal with Carlos Correa. However, Posey successfully acquired Rafael Devers during the 2025 season, who performed admirably with a .236/.347/.460 slash line and a 130 OPS+ in 90 games. Additionally, Willy Adames emerged as a key player, hitting 30 homers, a milestone not achieved by a Giants player since Barry Bonds in 2004.
With a solid core including Matt Chapman, Jung Hoo Lee, and Logan Webb, and the potential hiring of Vitello, the Giants are optimistic about their chances to end their four-year playoff drought in the upcoming season. The franchise is poised for a revamp, aiming for a successful 2026.








