Tony Vitello becomes highest paid college baseball coach

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Tony Vitello is staying on Rocky Top. Tennessee Director of Athletics Danny White announced on Friday that the Vol baseball head coach has signed a five-year contract extension through June 30, 2029, for $3 million annually.

Vitello is now the highest-paid coach in college baseball.

“Tony and his staff have developed the country’s top baseball program, and we are excited to announce this long-term extension to keep Tony on Rocky Top,” said White. “As an athletics department, we aim to lead the way in college sports, and Tony has created a baseball program that sets the standard across the entire sport. The on-field results in the nation’s best conference are unmatched, and the enthusiasm he has brought to Vol Nation has been incredible to witness.”

The Vols won the program’s first-ever national championship in June. It marked Tennessee’s third trip to the College World Series in four seasons under Vitello’s leadership.

UT became the first SEC program to win 60 games in 2024, along with being the fourth to sweep the regular season title, conference tournament title and College World Series title in the same season.

Tennessee is also the first No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA tournament to become national champions since Miami did so back in 1999. Vitello was named National Coach of the Year for the third time after winning the 2024 College World Series.

“Our staff and our program take confidence in the fact that our administration is more invested in our sport than anywhere else in the country when you consider resources, their commitment to our staff and the stadium project,” said Vitello. “At the end of the day, we know our great Vol fans are the origin of these resources and we look forward to continually working hard to make them proud to be a part of Vol Nation.”

The new extension has a base pay of $350,000 each year and a one-time signing bonus of $250,000. It also includes annual payments of $2,650,000 plus 75% of “any revenue received by the University from an endorsement or consultation contract with a bat/equipment manufacturer” over $100,000. The extension explained that if UT received $200,000 in revenue from an endorsement contract with a bat/equipment manufacturer, then Vitello would receive a supplemental payment of $2,725,000.

Vitello will also be eligible to receive one incentive payment per year based on the team’s highest achievement:

• Team appearance in the NCAA Regionals – $40,000
• Host NCAA Regionals as a Top 16 National Seed – $60,000
• Winning the SEC Regular Season Championship (as determined by the SEC) or SEC Tournament Championship – $80,000
• Appearance in the NCAA Super Regionals – $100,000
• Host NCAA Super Regionals as a Top 8 National Seed – $120,000
• Appearance in the NCAA College World Series – $140,000
• Appearance in the NCAA College World Series Championship Series – $160,000
• NCAA College World Series Champion – $200,000

Vitello will also be paid a one-time bonus of $200,000 for winning the 2024 Men’s College World Series.

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If Vitello’s contract is ended without cause, UT will have to pay Vitello 100% of the base pay and supplemental pay owed to him for the remainder of the contract. For Vitello to leave, he will owe the following amounts:

• July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025 – $4,000,000
• July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026 – $3,000,000
• July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027 – $2,000,000
• July 1, 2027 – June 30, 2028 – $800,000
• July 1, 2028 – June 30, 2029 – $400,00

In 2021, Vitello signed a contract extension through 2026 . His original contract began on June 19, 2019.

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