Vitello gets hero’s welcome after leading Tennessee to title

Tennessee head coach Tony Vitello smiles ahead of the Knoxville homecoming parade in the team's honor after winning the baseball World Series on Tuesday. Hannah Mattix/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK

Tony Vitello gets hero’s welcome in parade after leading Tennessee to title

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Renzo Pocholo Salao | Last updated Jun 25, 2024 9:11 PM ET

Tennessee baseball coach Tony Vitello on Tuesday got the reception he deserved after leading his team to the promised land.

On Monday, Tennessee pitcher Aaron Combs struck out Texas A&M infielder Ted Burton for the final out of the College World Series to seal a 6-5 Volunteers win at Charles Schwab Field Omaha.

The team and its coach returned to Tennessee as heroes. They paraded through downtown Knoxville, Tenn. on Tuesday to celebrate with the rest of Vol Nation.

Few received more fanfare than Vitello. The 35-year-old head coach was signing autographs and hearing his name chanted throughout the event.

Tony Vitello with a hero’s welcome here at the Tennessee Baseball National Championship parade

⁦@rockytopinsider⁩ pic.twitter.com/xisfpBQwgO

— Ric Butler (@Ric_Butler) June 25, 2024

Since he joined the program in 2017, Vitello has been integral in turning Tennessee into a baseball powerhouse. He’s led the Volunteers to five straight NCAA tournaments and three College World Series appearances.

Vitello immortalized himself in Tennessee sports lore by coaching the team to its first national title in school history.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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