KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Rocky Top is celebrating after Tennessee baseball won its first national title in program history after beating Texas A&M Monday night, 6-5.
Tennessee baseball went 13 years without making the NCAA tournament before hiring head coach Tony Vitello. Since then, he’s led the team to five straight NCAA tournaments, three College World Series appearances and has now secured a national title.
We got to catch up with the superstar coach after the historic win.
“Everybody deserves to celebrate. You gotta fight for your right and we won the right,” Vitello said.
Vitello mentioned his gratitude for his players and the support from Tennessee football coach Josh Heupel and Tennessee men’s basketball coach Rick Barnes.
“It’s an absolute war to coach in general. But to be in our league, it’s a survival test and it ain’t easy,” Vitello said. “You gotta lean on people and I’ve been able to lean on them and I appreciate them so much.”
Dylan Dreiling won the College World Series Most Outstanding Player Award and Vitello compared him to a few legendary players.
“It’s incredible. Babe Ruth—I don’t know who to compare it to. It was absolutely incredible. David Ortiz-like,” Vitello said.
You can watch our whole interview with Vitello below.
By Mikesportz