Let the Vitello speculation begin!

[Freak]

It always seems to me like Arkansas fans think very highly of their program, considering they've never won a national championship. The title after you click the link is:

Vitello seems up for being next Arkansas coach, but Tennessee has one major edge​

Vitello, Van Horn trying to keep Tennessee, Arkansas series about game on field

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas against Tennessee is billed as the super regional of the weekend. The top two statistical offenses are pitted against each...

www.si.com

 

[gohogs14]

I get it, that’s always going to be the elephant in the room until it’s not. But essentially being a dropped foul ball away from how a program is viewed just feels like semantics. The facilities, fan support and consistent CWS trips are all there, just not sure coaches would be turned off by one play not going the right way in determining the status of a program.

Not speaking specifically about Vitello though, don’t think he leaves regardless at this point unless it’s for a small fortune.

 

[Orange.]

I was about to say that Arkansas fans are obsessed with Tennessee, but one of them posted before I could type my message. “Semantics”

 

[NighthawkVol]

I get it, that’s always going to be the elephant in the room until it’s not. But essentially being a dropped foul ball away from how a program is viewed just feels like semantics. The facilities, fan support and consistent CWS trips are all there, just not sure coaches would be turned off by one play not going the right way in determining the status of a program.

Not speaking specifically about Vitello though, don’t think he leaves regardless at this point unless it’s for a small fortune.

I understand your point. But “semantics” is the wrong word. The zero beside number of national championships is data, not semantics.

Yes, Arkansas is a great program historically. Hell, Florida State is even better and they also don’t have a national championship. Meanwhile, Coastal Carolina has one. Sports are weird.

Vitello is not leaving Tennessee for Arkansas. But when your coach finally decides to retire, I have no doubt that many very good coaches will be lined up for that job.

 

[Jax_Vol]

I get it, that’s always going to be the elephant in the room until it’s not. But essentially being a dropped foul ball away from how a program is viewed just feels like semantics. The facilities, fan support and consistent CWS trips are all there, just not sure coaches would be turned off by one play not going the right way in determining the status of a program.

Not speaking specifically about Vitello though, don’t think he leaves regardless at this point unless it’s for a small fortune.

We have this. How about you?

 

[kiddiedoc]

Vitello is not leaving Tennessee for Arkansas. But when your coach finally decides to retire, I have no doubt that many, very good coaches will be lined up for that job.

I wouldn't move to Fayetteville if someone offered to double my income.

 

[tennrich1]

I try to pull for any SEC team but the constant attempt of Hogs fans trying to convince me how unbelievably outstanding ALL their programs are has driven me close to disdain. I have close friends who both played and coached at Arkansas. Most of them agree about the fan base and one suggested it stems from having absolutely ZERO competition in the state. My advice to the Hogs fan base… mature a little and relax now…you’re in the SEC!

 

[VolsLFC]

I was about to say that Arkansas fans are obsessed with Tennessee, but one of them posted before I could type my message. “Semantics”

Every Arky fan on Tok is talking more about Tennessee than their trip to Omaha. It’s honestly quite pathetic.

 

[WallyBalls]

I weep for what's become of Sports Illustrated.

 

[VolMarine1371]

I wouldn't move to Fayetteville if someone offered to double my income.

Arkansas isn’t going to pay him $6.2 million a year. Vitello currently is the highest paid coach on the SEC at $3.1 million a year.

 

[Sudden Impact]

The only way I see Tony Vitello leaving the Vols is because of immature fan base disgruntlement. We have characters that are never satisfied. It gets tiresome. Some will complain about this year and only making a Super Regional.

All I want is to maintain the consistency, but yet some will complain.

Arkansas will be in search of a coach in the future and no doubt they will come looking. LSU did it a few years ago and it did not happen but TV knows what he has here.

TV is a class act and it was noted several times after game 2 of the regionals. He spent some time on the field with Arkansas post game 2. Nothing to worry about, but just know he is who he is, a class act.

 

[Nico ee-ah-MAH-LAY-ah-va]

The only way I see Tony Vitello leaving the Vols is because of immature fan base disgruntlement. We have characters that are never satisfied. It gets tiresome. Some will complain about this year and only making a Super Regional.

All I want is to maintain the consistency, but yet some will complain.

Arkansas will be in search of a coach in the future and no doubt they will come looking. LSU did it a few years ago and it did not happen but TV knows what he has here.

TV is a class act and it was noted several times after game 2 of the regionals. He spent some time on the field with Arkansas post game 2. Nothing to worry about, but just know he is who he is, a class act.

Arkansas has those fans in spades too. Tony wouldn't be running from a disgruntled fanbase here to another one in a different town unless he just deep down loves Arkansas more than Tennessee.

This article indicates that Tony is already the highest paid coach in college baseball. I am not sure Arkansas would top that for him given that they only pay DVH less than half of that right now. Plus, we would be talking a hefty buyout sum for both Tony and DVH to make that change.

I trust DW will do what is needed to keep Tony in Knoxville. TV has the paycheck, new stadium (and field from a few years ago), along with fan and facility support. There really isn't more you could ask for.

 

[deatojl]

I get it, that’s always going to be the elephant in the room until it’s not. But essentially being a dropped foul ball away from how a program is viewed just feels like semantics. The facilities, fan support and consistent CWS trips are all there, just not sure coaches would be turned off by one play not going the right way in determining the status of a program.

Not speaking specifically about Vitello though, don’t think he leaves regardless at this point unless it’s for a small fortune.

Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades

 

[lukeneyland]

He’s not going to any other college team. He’s turned down the two biggest programs in the sport already. He could have gone to Texas if he wanted but he chose Tennessee. I’m grateful for him

 

[Rushin Orange Collusion]

I try to pull for any SEC team but the constant attempt of Hogs fans trying to convince me how unbelievably outstanding ALL their programs are has driven me close to disdain. I have close friends who both played and coached at Arkansas. Most of them agree about the fan base and one suggested it stems from having absolutely ZERO competition in the state. My advice to the Hogs fan base… mature a little and relax now…you’re in the SEC!

I beg to differ. They have Butch Jones!

 

[Dadof2Vols]

The key to keeping TV is probably keeping DW…

 

[77' Vol]

Vitello will leave if he thinks he can recruit better at Arkansas and if he likes the town better. Both schools will pay him the going rate. Fans shouldn't worry about him leaving with AD White in charge.

 

[lilesrt]

I weep for what's become of Sports Illustrated.

I remember when they had paper magazines.

 

[Ned Land]

Arkansas has those fans in spades too. Tony wouldn't be running from a disgruntled fanbase here to another one in a different town unless he just deep down loves Arkansas more than Tennessee.

This article indicates that Tony is already the highest paid coach in college baseball. I am not sure Arkansas would top that for him given that they only pay DVH less than half of that right now. Plus, we would be talking a hefty buyout sum for both Tony and DVH to make that change.

I trust DW will do what is needed to keep Tony in Knoxville. TV has the paycheck, new stadium (and field from a few years ago), along with fan and facility support. There really isn't more you could ask for.

I can be a broke record on the topic but I don't see how Tennessee could afford to let him leave. For fans under 50, Tony Vitello is Tennessee baseball. When Josh Heupel said, "nobody is above the program, including me" in reference to Nico leaving, he was right. I don't think that is the case in baseball. You are looking at having a 90 million dollar waste of money on the stadium if he left. I really believe that. You'd have to go get a proven top 5 coach to even stay anywhere near the level of involvement. I expect baseball is going to be completely disappointed in the portion of the revenue sharing, but that will probably be everyone and not just Tennessee. We are so close in basketball and we are already there in baseball. Being back on top in football seems like a dream. The competition is so fierce. It wouldn't break my heart if they gave more of the money to baseball and basketball but I realize that will never happen.

 

[deatojl]

Vitello will leave if he thinks he can recruit better at Arkansas and if he likes the town better. Both schools will pay him the going rate. Fans shouldn't worry about him leaving with AD White in charge.

Well, Arkansas would have to double what they are currently paying DVH just to match what we are currently paying CTV and that is after paying a large buyout. That is without taking into consideration the needed salaries and buyouts of his assistants. I'm not saying they can't or won't do it but that would be a steep commitment on their part just to match what he has here. Add in the optics of paying more than double the salary of the guy who has taken them to the NCAA tournament 21 times, 10 Super Regionals, and 8 CWS to bring in his replacement.

 

[vegasvolfan]

Doubt he would leave, but I wonder how much Danny might have to fork out to further cement that. Does Vitello get a raise after going to the Supers?

 

[Volprofch05]

 

[Vtonerider]

The only thing missing from this specious thread is a quote from Basillio.

 

[GVF]

The only way I see Tony Vitello leaving the Vols is because of immature fan base disgruntlement. We have characters that are never satisfied. It gets tiresome. Some will complain about this year and only making a Super Regional.

All I want is to maintain the consistency, but yet some will complain.

Arkansas will be in search of a coach in the future and no doubt they will come looking. LSU did it a few years ago and it did not happen but TV knows what he has here.

TV is a class act and it was noted several times after game 2 of the regionals. He spent some time on the field with Arkansas post game 2. Nothing to worry about, but just know he is who he is, a class act.

Well said.

Making Omaha every season is not gonna happen for any program. Heck, Wasn't it Stoneybrook that took LSU out a few years back. Murray State just took Duke out. As consistent as Duke could be considered as a solid program, they haven't been since 1961. TnTech cleared the FSU regional a few years back and took Texas to 3 games. It's tough enough to clear regionals every single year, even for an elite program. What is it now 6 or 7 years. Regionals in all but one. Several Supers and a Natty. And it's not like we got bounced by a FCS team. Arky was/is a very good team this year. They've been in the top side of hte rankings almost all season. We did have some gaps this year, but we were a little off and lost what last 5 weekend series. Meanwhile hte top 2 teams didn't even get through their regionals. Got no disappointment in having been bounced. Anyone that does needs to study the baseball program prior to Vitello. Very sporadic appearances.

 

[Nico ee-ah-MAH-LAY-ah-va]

I can be a broke record on the topic but I don't see how Tennessee could afford to let him leave. For fans under 50, Tony Vitello is Tennessee baseball. When Josh Heupel said, "nobody is above the program, including me" in reference to Nico leaving, he was right. I don't think that is the case in baseball. You are looking at having a 90 million dollar waste of money on the stadium if he left. I really believe that. You'd have to go get a proven top 5 coach to even stay anywhere near the level of involvement. I expect baseball is going to be completely disappointed in the portion of the revenue sharing, but that will probably be everyone and not just Tennessee. We are so close in basketball and we are already there in baseball. Being back on top in football seems like a dream. The competition is so fierce. It wouldn't break my heart if they gave more of the money to baseball and basketball but I realize that will never happen.

I am with you. I want a competitive football team. I also want championship basketball and baseball programs.