Tony Vitello suspended for three-game weekend series vs. Dayton
Tennessee baseball head coach Tony Vitello has been suspended for this weekend’s three-game series against Dayton. Josh Elander will resume head coaching responsibilities in his absence.
The official word from a Tennessee was sent via a statement on Twitter. In a follow-up with a Tennessee spokesman, the suspension was described to Volquest as an ‘institutional measure by UT Athletics in collaboration with Tony Vitello.’
“The University and Coach Vitello are working collaboratively with the NCAA to address a violation in the program,” the university said in a statement. “Coach Vitello will be suspended for this weekend’s series, with Josh Elander serving as acting head coach, and we will provide an update on Monday. 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. NCAA bylaws prohibit additional comment or details. The University will continue to emphasize—to all staff—the imperative of leading with honesty and integrity.”
It’s unclear if the two situations are linked, but Vols transfer short stop Maui Ahuna continues to be absent from the lineup as he awaits ‘eligibility clearance’ from the NCAA.
Volquest has said this week that the program has been in communication with the NCAA in regards to the eligibility status of the short stop. On Friday, Outkick’s Trey Wallace reported that the program and Vitello are under NCAA inquiry for alleged tampering with Ahuna. The short stop has missed the Vols’ first six games of the season after receiving word hours before the opener against Arizona that he would be out.
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About Maui Ahuna
The former Kansas Jayhawk came to Knoxville by way the transfer portal this offseason. Ahuna made headlines yesterday when it was announced he signed an NIL deal with Weigel’s Stores and was featured in a 30-second commercial decked out in a Tennessee white and orange style uniform. The uniform also featured Weigel’s name in a script font that mimics what the Volunteers wear.
The short stop checks in at No. 22 on MLB Pipeline’s top draft prospects after starting every game as a freshman and sophomore in Lawrence. Batting .396 in 2022, he hit eight home runs, 48 RBI and 13 stolen bases while leading the ballclub in average, on-base percentage (.479), slugging percentage (.634), hits (80), triples (4), walks (28) and stolen bags.
The infielder finished the campaign riding a 20-game hit-streak and tallied 23 multi-hit days, including 10 three-hit performances. Defensively, Ahuna made SportsCenter’s Top 10 plays twice for his work on the dirt. The new Volunteer spent his sophomore summer with the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team.
