The Tennessee Volunteers have a new head baseball coach, and it’s exactly who everyone wanted. Josh Elander was announced as Tony Vitello’s replacement just days after Vitello decided to take the manager
role with the San Fransisco Giants.
Danny White moved quickly here to find Tennessee’s 26th ever head baseball coach. He reportedly interviewed Coastal Carolina coach Kevin Schnall on Friday, but not other names really emerged in the lightning-fast search. Elander was the guy who all players and former players clamored for, and White makes it happen today.
Elander has served as Tennessee’s associate head coach and recruiting coordinator since 2022. He arrived at Tennessee with Vitello back in 2017 as an assistant. Elander played college ball at TCU before being drafted by the Atlanta Braves. After four years in the minors, Elander returned to TCU to begin his coaching career.
Tennessee has signed eight top 15 classes with help from Elander. He’s also worked on staff with the team’s hitters, helping to product one of the top offenses in the country over the past few seasons.
Elander, 34 years old, will now try to continue with what Vitello had rolling.
