Assistant Josh Elander will act as the interim head coach of the volunteers.
Tennessee baseball coach Tony Vitello was suspended for what the program simply described as a “violation”, the university’s athletic department announcement Friday.
Vitello, in his sixth season at Tennessee, will miss the Volunteers’ three-game series against Dayton beginning Friday. Assistant Josh Elander will act as the interim head coach of the volunteers.
In the statementthe department shared that the university and Vitello are “working cooperatively with the NCAA to remedy a program violation” and that Vitello “acknowledged its error and accepted full responsibility.”
“We appreciate his [Vitello’s] cooperation in the process and dedication to doing good by the student-athletes of the Tennessee baseball program,” the statement read. “NCAA statutes prohibit any further comment or detail. The University will continue to emphasize to all staff the imperative to lead with honesty and integrity.
While it’s unclear why Vitello is serving a three-game suspension, the news comes as Kansas transfer Maui Ahuna continues to await NCAA clearance to play for the Volunteers.
Vitello has Tennessee (3–2) ranked among the top six teams in the nation. He posted a 194-79 overall record and led the Vols to an appearance in the 2021 College World Series in Omaha.
