Tennessee announced a significant contract extension for baseball coach Tony Vitello on Friday, making the 45-year-old the highest-paid coach in college baseball. The five-year deal will pay Vitello $3 million annually.
“Tennessee Athletics Director Danny White expressed excitement over the extension, praising Vitello and his staff for building the nation’s premier baseball program. ‘Our goal as an athletic department is to lead in college sports, and Tony’s program has set the standard for the sport,’ White said. ‘His on-field success in the toughest conference and the passion he has ignited within Vol Nation have been extraordinary.’
This new deal is part of Tennessee’s continued investment in baseball, which includes expanding the assistant coach salary pool and ongoing major renovations to Lindsey Nelson Stadium, aiming to make it one of the sport’s top venues. Vitello’s extension increases the assistant coach salary pool, although specifics of the contract are still undisclosed. Before the extension, the pool had a minimum of $900,000 annually.
Vitello commented on the extension, emphasizing the long-term partnership between the coaching staff and administration. ‘Our administration’s commitment to our staff, resources, and the stadium project demonstrates an investment in our sport that is unmatched anywhere else in the country,’ he said. ‘We know our fans are the foundation of these resources, and we’re committed to making them proud.’
Vitello had previously signed a contract extension following the 2021 season and again in May, though details of that extension were never officially announced. Before this latest agreement, Vitello’s salary was $1.5 million per year. The new deal also restructures his bonuses, offering incentives based on the team’s top achievements, such as making the NCAA Tournament or College World Series Finals. Bonuses range from $20,000 to $200,000.
In his seventh season, Vitello led Tennessee to its first National Championship. The Vols also secured the SEC Regular-Season and Tournament titles, winning a record 60 games. When Vitello took over in 2017, Tennessee’s baseball program was struggling, having missed the NCAA Tournament for 13 years and failed to win a SEC Tournament game for 11 years. Under his leadership, the program has made rapid strides, reaching the College World Series in 2021, 2023, and 2024, and dominating the SEC in 2022 and 2024.
Texas A&M reportedly made a strong effort to lure Vitello after Tennessee’s National Championship victory, but Vitello chose to remain in Knoxville and signed this latest extension.”
