Danny White isn't messing around.
The Tennessee Volunteers are as committed to their athletics department as any program around the country, and the proof is in the pudding.
The latest example will delight Tennessee fans who were thrilled by the Vols incredible run to the school's first-ever college baseball national championship . The university announced on Friday afternoon that it reached a five-year contract extension with head coach Tony Vitello to run through the 2029 season.
Reported deal would put Vitello in top half of managers in Major League Baseball
The deal is reportedly at an annual amount of $3 million, per VolQuest.com . The deal also makes Vitello the highest paid coach in all of college baseball.
But it doesn't stop there. According to Front Office Sports , Vitello's annual earnings would put him tied for thirteenth among managers in Major League Baseball. He'd be even with Boston Red Sox skipper Alex Cora, one spot above Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton ($1.5 million).
That's absolutely crazy on the surface, but there's no question that Vitello has earned being the top paid coach in college baseball for what he's done particularly over the last four years. Three College World Series appearances, a national championship, two SEC tournament titles, two regular season SEC titles, and two #1 overall seeds in the tournament. Oh yeah, and the Vols became the first 1 seed to win it all since 1999 last season.
The most well deserved of raises for Tony V, which further exemplifies the commitment by White and the university to being the absolute best on the diamond.
The extension coincides with some very important renovations
The extension comes on the heels of a number of other major financial commitments to football and baseball facilities. Lindsey Nelson Stadium's renovations were approved earlier in June of 2023 and are currently projected to be completed by 2026.
White also announced earlier this month that Tennessee will partner up with Pilot regarding renovations and improvements to Neyland Stadium, as well as promotions for the latter. The deal will put Pilot's name by the "Home of the Vols" sign on the press box as well as on the playing surface in two spots. Pilot will invest in renovations and additions to Neyland Stadium, including expanded concourses, restrooms, and concession areas.
As such, there's a whole lot of money being invested by the university into making multiple programs and facilities the best they can be, which happens to be among the best in the country.
There's no doubt that White has earned his paycheck this year, and then some.
Related: Tennessee Vols' Nico Iamaleava provides a gift to all of his teammates
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