Jim Schlossnagle, the Texas A&M coach, was on the lookout for a new recruiting coordinator back in the summer of 2010. After a search, he found Tony Vitello, then a 31-year-old Missouri assistant, who was known for his hard work and focus in recruiting. Schlossnagle praised Vitello’s dedication before their teams, the Aggies and the Vols, faced off in the College World Series finals.

Vitello spent three years as an assistant under Schlossnagle at TCU before moving to the SEC to work as an assistant coach at Arkansas. Although TCU didn’t make it to the College World Series during Vitello’s tenure, they achieved that milestone in the following years, with Vitello’s influence as a recruiting coordinator evident in the team’s success.

Schlossnagle commended Vitello’s contributions, highlighting his energy, passion, and intensity. He also spoke highly of Vitello’s father, Greg, a former high school baseball coach who often accompanied the TCU team on road trips.

Despite Tennessee baseball’s sudden rise to success after years of obscurity, Schlossnagle expressed no surprise at Vitello’s achievements as a head coach. He noted Vitello’s readiness to lead his own program and acknowledged the impressive growth of the Tennessee baseball program under Vitello’s leadership.

While Vitello’s prowess in coaching is evident on the field, Schlossnagle also praised his efforts in building the Tennessee program off the field. He commended Vitello for creating an engaging game environment and expanding Lindsey Nelson Stadium, emphasizing the importance of promoting the program beyond just the game itself.

Vitello and Schlossnagle have faced each other in head-to-head matchups, with Vitello holding a 4-1 record. Tennessee secured victories over Texas A&M in recent seasons, showcasing Vitello’s coaching prowess on the field.