The Tennessee Volunteers baseball program is heading into a big transition after head coach Tony Vitello left for the San Francisco Giants. Vitello turned Tennessee into a real powerhouse, so picking his replacement suddenly feels more important than ever.
Athletic Director Danny White is running the search. There’s already a lot of chatter about who could step in, whether it’s someone already in the program or a fresh face from outside.
Tennessee’s Coaching Search: Internal vs. External Options
The Volunteers have a decision to make. Do they promote someone from inside, or bring in an experienced outsider to keep the wins coming?
Danny White says he’ll look at both internal and external candidates. He’s weighing coaching experience, recruiting chops, and how well they fit with Tennessee’s vibe and long-term goals.
The Case for Josh Elander
Josh Elander, Tennessee’s associate head coach, is the top internal candidate. Players, fans, and colleagues all seem to respect the guy for his leadership and for connecting with the roster.
Elander really knows the ins and outs of the program. That kind of continuity can be gold when a head coach leaves. If Elander gets the nod, there’s not much disruption—he already has a handle on the roster and recruiting, so Tennessee could stay competitive right away.
Still, you have to wonder if the administration wants to shake things up. Maybe they’ll look for a new perspective to push the program to an even higher level than Vitello reached.
Mark Wasikowski: The Leading Outside Candidate
From outside the program, Mark Wasikowski keeps popping up as a serious contender. He’s currently the head coach at Oregon, and his résumé is tough to ignore.
Wasikowski’s Coaching Journey and Achievements
Wasikowski’s career has taken him through several strong programs. He’s worked as an assistant at Southeast Missouri State (SEMO), Florida, Arizona, and Oregon, picking up all sorts of coaching styles and experience with high-pressure situations.
He later became head coach at Purdue, then landed the top job at Oregon. Over four seasons with the Ducks (not counting the canceled 2020 season), Wasikowski’s record is an impressive 156–83.
- Oregon has made multiple NCAA regional and super regional appearances
- He’s helped produce 24 MLB draft picks
- Plenty of his players have become All-Americans
Other big programs, like Mississippi State, have shown interest in him. Wasikowski chose to stay in Eugene, which says something about his loyalty and how picky he is about his next move. Tennessee would probably appreciate that kind of commitment from their next leader.
What Tennessee Needs in Their Next Head Coach
It’s not just about wins and losses, though. Tennessee needs a coach who can recruit top talent, keep developing players, and handle the wild competition in the SEC.
With Vitello setting the bar sky-high, whoever steps in will need a good mix of coaching skill and adaptability to the modern college baseball scene.
Program Continuity vs. Fresh Leadership
If they pick Elander, they’re betting on keeping things steady. The momentum keeps rolling, and there aren’t big changes to the culture or philosophy.
Going with Wasikowski or another outsider would be more of a leap—maybe they bring in new ideas, expand recruiting, and boost Tennessee’s national profile. According to Shayne Pickering of Vols On SI, Wasikowski is a “proven, realistic candidate,” even without Tennessee ties. His résumé shows he can handle tough environments, making him a strong option right alongside Elander.
The Road Ahead
Danny White’s decision is about to shape Tennessee baseball’s future for a long time. Whether he looks inside the program at Josh Elander or aims for Mark Wasikowski, the Volunteers have a lot riding on this hire.
The next leader can’t just keep up what Vitello started; they’ve got to push the team further. Fans are buzzing, and with the SEC tougher than ever, these next few weeks feel huge.
Tennessee’s pick could change recruiting, player growth, and postseason runs right away. It’s honestly one of the most important moves in the program’s history.
Here is the source article for this story: New College Coach Linked as Possible Option For Tennessee Baseball Head Coaching Job
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