Tony Vitello sounds off after Tennessee secures its spot in the College World Series

Tennessee baseball head coach Tony Vitello was asked if the season would be considered a success if they dropped game three to Evansville. The Vols and Aces split the first two games, forcing a game three, but Tennessee got the job done and won 12-1. 

It was the best Tennessee had looked in the super regional series, and it's now obvious why that might have been. After winning game three and securing their spot in Omaha, Vitello took the stand at the post-game press conference and told everyone about his and the program's meaning of success. 

Vitello starts the presser by calling out the toxic side of recruiting where players are asking for bags of cash to commit to a school. Vitello tells all future recruits to not waste their time with him or Tennessee baseball if that's what they're looking for in a program. 

He then turns to the topic of success and wins and losses at the end of a season. On Saturday, Vitello was asked if the season would be a failure if they lost game three against Evansville. He noted that Blake Burke was not happy about that question, and I'm sure many in the locker room weren't happy either. 

He's right - outside of maybe professional sports, it's not just about wins and losses. It's about developing the players into better athletes but also setting them up for success, whatever that may be for each player, once they graduate. 

Vitello also correlates personal success with team success. He describes success as being a good teammate, bringing energy and excitement daily from the head coach position, and life after athletics. 

He notes that Jared Dickey is just one player who has been a success after college baseball. Vitello notes that the 2022 Tennessee baseball team was a success, Dickey was a success, and still is a success in life. He also credited Evansville outfielder Ty Rumsey for being a success despite not making it to Omaha because of how he carries himself and puts his body on the line for his teammates. 

Vitello also says that it's great to go to Omaha, but that's not the end-all for the players in his program. Would it be a disappointment? Yeah, but it's not going to be the measuring stick for his players' season or lives. 

This is a side of Vitello that we haven't seen a lot of in this setting, but I think it's the attitude of the entire locker room, and it was clear in game three's win. If Tennessee goes into Omaha with the same attitude and grit, they won't have to worry about the media discussing the degree of success for their season.