San Francisco Giants Tennessee Volunteers coach Tony Vitello as their new manager

The San Francisco Giants are hiring Tennessee Volunteers coach Tony Vitello as manager for his first pro coaching job

The San Francisco Giants are hiring Tennessee Volunteers coach Tony Vitello as manager for his first pro coaching job.

It's an unprecedented gamble by San Francisco executive Buster Posey on a coach with no pro experience. The 47-year-old Vitello is making the jump after spending his entire career at the college level.

Tennessee athletic director Danny White announced Wednesday that Vitello was leaving for the Giants, congratulating him in a statement on an "incredible opportunity."

"We wish him the best as he embarks on this new chapter in his career and thank him for everything he has done to transform Tennessee baseball into a championship program," White said.

Vitello has guided the Volunteers to regular success in the Southeastern Conference since being hired in June 2017. That included leading the program to its first NCAA title last year to go with six regional appearances, five NCAA super regional berths and three College World Series trips.