What was post game confrontation between Vitello & Arky Coach?

[Bigun]

He went in to DVH’s Turf and got a dude. DVH then decided to get dirty and slander him and program. Hopefully they meet again in Hoover or Omaha.

Ben Mckee on Jayson Swains podcast said DVH is also telling recruits that Tony won't be here next year.

 

[arkyvol]

Ben Mckee on Jayson Swains podcast said DVH is also telling recruits that Tony won't be here next year.

From the pig sty (aka Arkansas) they're saying confidently that TV will be in College Station or Baton Rouge next year because the Vol's support and facilities are crap.

 

[TN_gal]

From the pig sty (aka Arkansas) they're saying confidently that TV will be in College Station or Baton Rouge next year because the Vol's support and facilities are crap.

The same type of chatter is going on among the other fanbases like Ole Miss and even Vandy. They are skeptical of UT admin and the athletics department's commitment to the baseball program. However, that's an outsider's perspective. They think they can throw money and the coach will automatically say yes. There are other challenges and higher expectations when stepping into well established programs. I think it's clear that White and his staff are already in talks with CV about LNS upgrades and such. There is a sense of urgency because they know that other programs will make offers to CV. We'll see how this plays out over the next month or so.

Brent Hubbs of Volquest penned a good column this morning: Pride is worth plenty.

With all that said, I can see how all of this can be used as a recruiting tactic against Tennessee. As shrewd as it is, it may or may not be effective.

 

[TheMookieMonster]

From the pig sty (aka Arkansas) they're saying confidently that TV will be in College Station or Baton Rouge next year because the Vol's support and facilities are crap.

As much as I hate to say it, our administration over the past decade has given all four of those programs plenty of reason to believe we won't commit to a good baseball coach.

@TN_gal already laid it all out pretty well, and I agree with most of it. It's a new admin, new faces, new President, there is reason for optimism. Am I still nervous we'll muck it up and let him walk? Sure, of course I am. I'm a Vol fan! We never do anything right around here.

But, TV seems to be like a pretty genuine dude, and if what Ben McKee said is true regarding DVH and him telling recruits TV is gone, it feels like TV's reaction would be a hell of a lot different if he ACTUALLY was gone. You don't get that mad about something like that if you're planning on bolting to a better job in 1-2 months.

It's been said quite a bit that TV likes it in Knoxville. Tennessee is also a talent rich baseball state, we have a fanbase every bit as passionate as Arky/MSU/LSU and way more passionate than the non-existent Vandy fanbase. Expectations are lower here, too. And, you're already in the SEC and he's already built TN up to the cream of the crop of the SEC in just a few short years.

There are plenty of examples out there of the grass not always being greener. Sure, the LSU stadium is nice, but the LSU coach has had one bad year and now they're ready to fire him. I see plenty of reasons to want to stay in Knoxville. Salary money won't be an issue either. We can pay with the best of them.

I'm not predicting TV is 100% staying, it wouldn't shock me if he left. But, this isn't the same situation as it was in the mid-2000s. It's apples to oranges. Those fanbases are just scared, let's be honest.

 

[youcancallmeAl]

From everything I've read about this, and heard from Vitello, he isn't drawing lines in the sand or making unreasonable or un-affordabe demands. He isn't asking for the moon in facilities or salaries. It appears he's simply asking for things to be competitive with the league's best competition. Therefore, doing what's fair in salaries and facilities seems doable. This kind of success should be rewarded, especially at this moment in UT history. I believe from what he's said, White knows that. I'm optimistic White will get er done.

 

[fryeguy93]

I think the school committed to baseball when they hired Dave Serrano and paid him accordingly. That was not a “cheap” hire at all.
I can still not explain why Serrano did not work out. It should have. The man has proven to be a great coach and a program builder. It just didn’t for a bunch of small reasons I guess.

Facilities are overrated in college baseball to be honest. There’s a myriad of perennial powers with rather pedestrian facilities. Especially in the west and midwest.

It was a frustrating time. Bad weather. Lost recruits to pro ball. Recruits that didn’t develop. In state competition even outside Vanderbilt. A BRUTAL east division

 

[txbo]

@TN_gal already laid.

That’s all I saw.

 

[drawing dead]

If nothing else, I hope they get rid of that crappy rug they call a ball field.

Arkansas should spend some money on their ragged as State Roads. I know they are top 3 in poorest states in America but damn one would think they could spend a little of that tax money on infrastructure. Nice stadium sure, but state is a hell hole.

 

[MadisonvilleVol]

I think the school committed to baseball when they hired Dave Serrano and paid him accordingly. That was not a “cheap” hire at all.
I can still not explain why Serrano did not work out. It should have. The man has proven to be a great coach and a program builder. It just didn’t for a bunch of small reasons I guess.

Facilities are overrated in college baseball to be honest. There’s a myriad of perennial powers with rather pedestrian facilities. Especially in the west and midwest.

It was a frustrating time. Bad weather. Lost recruits to pro ball. Recruits that didn’t develop. In state competition even outside Vanderbilt. A BRUTAL east division

I agree 100%. Facilities are overrated. Tn stealing Serrano from Cal St Fullerton is equal to Tn hiring a football coach from Florida, Texas, et al. Serrano knew that you could win at UT.

 

[Bigun]

I think the school committed to baseball when they hired Dave Serrano and paid him accordingly. That was not a “cheap” hire at all.
I can still not explain why Serrano did not work out. It should have. The man has proven to be a great coach and a program builder. It just didn’t for a bunch of small reasons I guess.

Facilities are overrated in college baseball to be honest. There’s a myriad of perennial powers with rather pedestrian facilities. Especially in the west and midwest.

It was a frustrating time. Bad weather. Lost recruits to pro ball. Recruits that didn’t develop. In state competition even outside Vanderbilt. A BRUTAL east division

Serrano's problem was that he recognized too late that you can't play small ball in the SEC. There are very few games where you can win by scoring less than 4-5 runs even with good pitching.

Still baffles me to that he didn't recognize that coming in. His last year he hired Simcox and I think they were going to try and recruit bigger hitters but by then it was too late.

 

[VolGee4]

Arkansas slant saying it was Vitello’s fault:

They are worried.

Otis Kirk Reveals Recruit Who Sparked the Dave Van Horn-Tony Vitello Tiff - Best of Arkansas Sports

 

[TheMookieMonster]

Arkansas slant saying it was Vitello’s fault:

They are worried.

Otis Kirk Reveals Recruit Who Sparked the Dave Van Horn-Tony Vitello Tiff - Best of Arkansas Sports

I know it's just a fan site, but this is poor journalism. The article opens up with a comment placing the blame of the "tiff" on Vitello for "bad-mouthing DVH on the recruiting trail" but they fail to give the reason till half way down the page....

"Chambers committed to Vitello’s Tennessee baseball program on April 15, but the sources told Kirk that Van Horn and the Arkansas baseball staff have continued to pursue him.

Vitello isn’t too pleased with that."

So, it's TV's fault and TV is to blame, but it's DVH trying to steal one of TV's recruits. Okay.....

 

[Volsbaseballfan]

We are a threat to all the SEC powers....In other Words "There's A New Sheriff in Town" and he's wearing
Orange!! I love it.....Keep this Train a rolling....Can't wait until about 2030 and I am watching the SEC Network and watching the Storied about the UT BASEBALL PROGRAM!!!! Got my UT BASEBALL SWAG on today!!!!

 

[Volsbaseballfan1]

We are a threat to all the SEC powers....In other Words "There's A New Sheriff in Town" and he's wearing
Orange!! I love it.....Keep this Train a rolling....Can't wait until about 2030 and I am watching the SEC Network and watching the Storied about the UT BASEBALL PROGRAM!!!! Got my UT BASEBALL SWAG on today!!!!

DVH is pissed went to his backyard and got an immediate contributor. Tried to play dirty and flip him and got called out on it. I made the comment 2 years ago the talent gap is closing between the Vols and the top of the SEC including Vandy. We are seeing that first hand.