Tennessee baseball head coach Tony Vitello is gearing up for another exciting season as the Volunteers begin fall ball preparations, just months after their impressive run in the College World Series. During his recent appearance on Vol Calls, the weekly radio show dedicated to Tennessee athletics, Vitello shared his thoughts on the upcoming fall season, the team’s mindset after their national championship bid, and the expectations surrounding the program.
Vitello emphasized the importance of starting fresh after the team’s successful 2023 campaign, where the Vols made it to the College World Series but fell short of securing a national title. Despite the disappointment of not winning it all, the coach remains focused on building momentum for the 2024 season, stressing that fall ball is the perfect time for the team to reset and refocus.
“Coming off a run like we had, it’s easy to get caught up in last season’s success,” Vitello said. “But fall ball is about putting that behind us and focusing on getting better. We’ve got new guys coming in, some returning veterans, and everyone has to earn their spot again.”
Vitello also spoke about the high expectations surrounding the Tennessee program, which has seen a resurgence under his leadership. Since taking over in 2018, he has transformed the Volunteers into a national powerhouse, and fans now expect the team to compete at the highest level each season. However, Vitello was quick to point out that success in the future depends on the work the players put in during the fall.
“Expectations are great, and it’s a credit to what these guys have built,” Vitello said. “But no one’s going to hand us anything. This is a time for the players to push themselves and for us as a coaching staff to evaluate what we’ve got. We’ve got to start from scratch every year, and that’s what makes college baseball so exciting.”
A key focus for Vitello during fall ball will be integrating new recruits and transfers into the team’s system. The Vols landed one of the nation’s top recruiting classes, and Vitello is eager to see how the new additions fit into the team dynamic. “We’ve got a lot of talented young players coming in, and it’s going to be exciting to see how they compete,” Vitello noted. “But it’s not just about talent; it’s about chemistry and work ethic. Fall ball is where we start to build that.”
Vitello also praised the leadership of returning players, who will be crucial in helping the younger athletes adjust to the program’s culture. “We’ve got some great leaders on this team, guys who have been through the grind of a full season and know what it takes to get to Omaha. They’ll be instrumental in setting the tone this fall.”
As the Volunteers dive into fall ball, Vitello made it clear that the team’s ultimate goal remains the same—winning a national championship. However, he stressed that the road to Omaha begins now, with hard work, discipline, and a commitment to improvement.
“We’re not looking ahead to the spring or next summer,” Vitello said. “Right now, it’s about getting better every day. If we take care of the little things now, the big things will take care of themselves when the time comes.”
Tennessee fans have every reason to be excited about the future of the program under Vitello’s leadership. As fall ball kicks off, all eyes will be on the Volunteers as they begin their journey toward another potential College World Series run, and perhaps, the elusive national championship.