Johnson City native Connell talks about new position on the Vols baseball staff

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WJHL) — Shortly after the season was over, Johnson City native Kirby Connell told News Channel 11 that he was joining coach Tony Vitello’s staff at the University of Tennessee.

On Monday, the former left-handed pitcher for the Vols who became the fan favorite after appearing in a record 129 games, was the celebrity golf player at the 5th annual Hillcrest Foundation golf tournament. He says he is excited to step into this new role as a coach for Vol baseball.

“I tell Coach Anderson and the whole coaching staff, just being able to work with them and, you know, work with the program and work with Tennessee Athletics. That’s just something I’ve always wanted to do because I’ve been here for five years. So I just I’ve seen it grow and I just want to be a part of it.”

Connell finished his career 10-2 after going 6-1 in 2024 to help pitch Tennessee to the first national championship in program history.

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