Tennessee Coach Tony Vitello Suspended For Weekend Series

Image credit: Tennessee coach Tony Vitello (Photo courtesy of Tennessee Athletic Communications)

Tennessee on Friday announced coach Tony Vitello is suspended for this weekend’s series against Dayton.

“The university and coach Vitello are working collaboratively with the NCAA to address a violation in the program,” according to a statement from the athletic department. “Coach Vitello has acknowledged his mistake and accepted full responsibility. We appreciate his cooperation in the process and his dedication to do right by the student-athletes in the Tennessee baseball program.”

The suspension, which is for an unspecified violation, comes a week after Tennessee announced shortstop Maui Ahuna, the top-ranked player in its transfer class, was still awaiting clearance from the NCAA following his transfer from Kansas.

Associate head coach Josh Elander is serving as head coach this week. Tennessee said it will have a further update Monday.

Tennessee (3-2) is ranked No. 6 in the Top 25. The Volunteers lost their first two games of the season against Arizona and Grand Canyon in last weekend’s MLB Dessert Classic, before ending the weekend with a win against UC San Diego and then beating Alabama A&M twice at home.

Vitello on Tuesday said he didn’t have much of an update on Ahuna’s status and no timeline for when the Volunteers would know more. 

“I know professionals from different entities are working on it, which makes me feel as good as I can and hopefully him as good as he can about it,” Vitello said. “People that are way more professional than me and a lot of people who are looking out for the kid’s sole interest.”