Giants' new skipper coached Scherzer and other big leaguers -- here's what they think of him

Tony Vitello, big league manager.

The Giants made history Wednesday when they announced the 47-year-old former Tennessee head coach as their skipper, making him the first person to go straight from the collegiate ranks to an MLB managerial seat without any professional coaching experience.

But ask those who played for Vitello during his more than two-decade career and they'll tell you two things: He deserves this. And he's ready for this.

"He's a baseball guy," said Toronto's Max Scherzer, who's known Vitello for more than 20 years. "He lives and breathes it, and we need more of that in our game."

"He's the most competitive guy I've ever been around," said Dylan Dreiling, a former Tennessee outfielder who is now the Rangers’ No. 15 prospect.

Vitello's coaching record dates back to 2002, when he first served as the associate head coach of the Salinas Packers, a collegiate wood-bat club. He went on to stints with Missouri from 2003-11 (assistant coach/pitching coach), TCU in 2011-13 (assistant coach/recruiting coordinator), Arkansas in 2014-17 (head coach) and Tennessee in 2018-25 (head coach). During that time, he coached future All-Stars Max Scherzer and Ian Kinsler at Mizzou, Andrew Benintendi at Arkansas and rising stars such as Garrett Crochet, Chase Dollander and Christian Moore at Tennessee.

During his tenure in Knoxville, he saw 52 of his players selected in the MLB Draft and helped lead the program to three Men's College World Series appearances in four years, including its first national championship in 2024.

The Knoxville-to-San Francisco pipeline is flowing strong: the organization drafted Gavin Kilen, their No. 3 prospect, in the first round this past July, and Maui Ahuna (SF No. 12) in the fourth round in 2023. Add to the mix that they acquired outfielder Drew Gilbert and right-hander Blade Tidwell (SF No. 13) at this season's Trade Deadline and these players -- all of whom played under Vitello -- have been able to keep orange as a primary color in their wardrobe.

Get to know more about Vitello and what he'll bring to the Giants from those who know his qualifications best -- his players.

Max Scherzer, RHP, Blue Jays
2006, 1st round (11th overall pick) -- Missouri

Vitello served as Scherzer's pitching coach for three seasons at Missouri.

On Vitello getting the Giants' job:
"I'm just so happy for him. Happy he got the opportunity to be able to get to the big leagues. I've been friends with him my whole time ever since Mizzou. I've known the fire in him. I know the passion that he has. I've always believed in him. Even when he got the job in Tennessee, I knew he was the right man for the job then. He showed you what he can do at the college level. I'm sure there's going to be doubters here at the big league level, but kudos to Buster Posey for recognizing what a leader is. I know Tony is a leader. He's going to bring an energy and a fire to that clubhouse, and the players are definitely going to respond because of that."

Ben Joyce, RHP, Angels
2022, 3rd round (89th overall) -- Tennessee

Joyce redshirted after undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2021, then pitched in 27 games for Vitello the next year.

On Vitello's impact in Tennessee:
"He definitely changed the energy around Knoxville when it came to baseball. He put Knoxville back on the map and made it the best place in the country to play."

What distinguishes Vitello from other coaches:
"The Giants are getting a fiery competitor who wants to win, but also cares about each and every guy on the team completely. He will definitely do a lot for the guys on his team. ... I think he's just a players-first guy but he really preaches the importance of playing good fundamental baseball. ... He's effective because he works harder than anyone and you can see how much he cares."

Maui Ahuna, SS, Giants (No. 12 prospect)
2023, 4th round (117th overall) -- Tennessee

Vitello coached Ahuna for one season at Tennessee.

On Vitello joining him in the Giants organization:
"I think the things that Vitello is gonna bring to the table is exactly what we need for our players to succeed and win."

On deciding to play for Vitello:
"He got me there because I wanted to go to a winning program and play for a coach that just wants to win and wants the best for me -- and it worked out perfectly. A lot of guys are gonna have doubts about him because they only see videos of him chewing umpires out or the way he carries himself during the game at times, but outside of that, he's the greatest human being. … He's the greatest guy to have a simple conversation with. He's just overall gonna be the best coach for the San Francisco Giants."

Dylan Dreiling, OF, Rangers (No. 15 prospect)
2024, 2nd round (65th overall) -- Tennessee

Vitello coached Dreiling for two years at Tennessee.

On what Giants players can expect:
"He's an awesome dude. You wanna play for a guy like that. If you're on his team, you love him and there's just no getting around that.

"One of his MOs is that he's gonna communicate well. He's gonna make sure that the vibes are good in the locker room. I never got to play with Drew Gilbert, but I've heard that he's the man, and I think that those two together, the vibes are gonna be there for the Giants."

Billy Amick, 3B, Twins (No. 16 prospect)
2024, 2nd round (60th overall) -- Tennessee

Vitello coached Amick for one year at Tennessee.

On what makes Vitello such an effective communicator:
"He's very genuine, which was the first thing that stood out. He's easy to talk to, he's easy to like and very easy to play for."

On what Giants players can expect:
"He's very loyal to his guys and his guys are very loyal to him. … Everybody else should be excited to have him and to get to know him. He's very easy to like.

"He wants to win and that's about all that's going on in the dugout. When the lights go on and it's time to go, everybody's ready and he leads that pack and he does a very good job of it. I was very blessed to get to play for him."

Andrew Lindsey, RHP, Rays
2023, 5th round (146th overall) -- Tennessee

Vitello coached Lindsey for one year at Tennessee.

On what the Giants are getting in Vitello:
"They're getting an incredibly energetic, passionate, [attuned] to detail manager. He does his research. He's really, really good at drawing the best out of his players, out of his staff. He trusts the people that he works with. He brings in really good people to coach with him. I don't know what they're not getting to be honest with you."

On how Vitello will work with players:
"That's part of his deal -- being the best and drawing the best out of those around him, trusting those people. You know he's got your back. ... I don't think he's ever been accused of having a lack of energy, so I think just always being energetic is going to translate well."

Bryce Jenkins, RHP, Mets
2023, 17th round (516th overall pick) -- Tennessee

Vitello coached Jenkins, a Knoxville native, for one year at Tennessee.

On how Vitello changed the program:
"I remember going to games as a kid. Obviously, the stadium was a lot smaller. It was probably $5 for a ticket, and when I played there, my whole family was on a waitlist to try to get season tickets. He's just changed the whole culture. We went from bottom of the SEC to making the World Series in three out of four years. He's brought a positive impact to Knoxville."

On how Vitello handles the locker room:
"He's a guy that brings the energy, the passion and he loves the game. He's a players' coach. He's gonna make great relationships and I think he'll just thrive there.

"I feel like he cares about everybody. It's not like you're gonna go in and be a part of the team and not ever get to meet him. I know he's invested in every player, he develops every player, so I just think that's the best thing he brings."