The Giants are eyeing Tennessee Volunteers head coach Tony Vitello to be their next manager, according to multiple reports, including one from MLB Network insider Jon Heyman.
The Giants haven't confirmed the news, and Vitello was noncommittal when asked about the job by the Knoxville News Sentinel.
“Nothing is done,” Vitello told the Sentinel.
ESPN's Jeff Passan and Pete Thamel report that the decision on whether Vitello will be San Francisco's next manager was expected to come within 24 to 72 hours.
Vitello has been the head coach at the University of Tennessee since the 2018 season. Prior to his arrival, the Volunteers had gone more than a decade without an appearance in the NCAA Tournament. Vitello has helped turn the program around, culminating with its first national championship in 2024 -- Tennessee's third men's College World Series berth in four seasons.
The Giants have a lot of ties to the Volunteers program already. Their first-round pick (13th overall) in the 2025 Draft, Gavin Kilen, was a star infielder at Tennessee. The Giants' fourth-round pick in '23, shortstop Maui Ahuna, came out of Tennessee. And two players whom the Giants acquired at this year’s Trade Deadline for reliever Tyler Rogers -- outfielder Drew Gilbert and right-hander Blade Tidwell, were Volunteers drafted in the first and second rounds, respectively, in '22.
Other candidates who have been linked to the Giants’ managerial opening include former Giants catcher Nick Hundley, former A’s catcher Kurt Suzuki, Guardians associate manager Craig Albernaz and Team USA manager Mark DeRosa.
Whoever fills the job will be replacing Bob Melvin, who was dismissed on Sept. 29 after two seasons at the helm in San Francisco. The club had a 161-163 record under his watch and missed the playoffs each season.