MLB insiders reveal the name of San Francisco Giants' new manager after Bob Melvin firing

San Francisco Giants appear ready to usher in a bold new era, as MLB insiders have revealed that University of Tennessee head coach Tony Vitello is on the verge of becoming the team’s next manager following Bob Melvin’s dismissal in late September. According to reports from The Athletic’s Andrew Baggarly, Ken Rosenthal, and Brittani Ghiroli, negotiations between the Giants and Vitello are in advanced stages, signaling a potential historic move for the franchise.

A groundbreaking hire in the making

Vitello’s appointment would mark a historic first in Major League Baseball. If finalized, he will become the first manager in MLB history to leap directly from the college ranks to the big leagues without any prior professional coaching experience. This decision reflects a major philosophical shift for the Giants and President of Baseball Operations Buster Posey, who has favored candidates with professional and catching backgrounds in the past.

While the two sides have not yet finalized contract terms, MLB insiders Jeff Passan and Pete Thamel reported that a decision is expected within the next 1–3 days. Sources indicate that San Francisco will likely need to offer around $6 million per year to lure Tony Vitello away from Knoxville, where his current deal with the University of Tennessee runs through 2029 at $3 million annually—the second-highest salary in college baseball. His buyout clause reportedly stands at $3 million, which the San Francisco Giants would need to cover as part of the transition.

From college champion to MLB trailblazer

Vitello’s journey through the baseball world has been anything but conventional. A former University of Missouri player under coach Tim Jamieson, Vitello earned Academic All-Big 12 honors before transitioning to coaching in 2002. His early success with the Salinas Packers in the California Collegiate League earned him recognition, eventually leading to assistant coaching stints at Missouri, TCU, and Arkansas.

Since taking over the Tennessee program in 2017, Tony Vitello has transformed the Volunteers into a national powerhouse. Over his tenure, he has compiled a 341–131 record, reestablishing Tennessee as both an SEC powerhouse and a national contender. His crowning achievement came in 2024, when he led the Volunteers to their first College World Series championship in decades.

Posey’s vision aligns with Vitello’s philosophy