Best non-Summitt coach at UT in the modern era. I never get tired of saying it. The complete package- can recruit like a fiend, develops players, positive and fun environment, fan friendly, and so on. Seriously, whenever I see posts about 4-5 baseball prospects we're recruiting, I say to myself "We'll get at least 3 of them." with a high level of confidence. Dude just delivers. Thank you, Missouri, for [uck fay]ing this one up.
Except TV is way more enjoyable. I always thought being that [uck fay]ing miserable as a key to Saban's success was overrated. TV is helping prove my point.
Definitely more enjoyable. I was more speaking to the getting any recruit or transfer person we pretty much want. It's fun.
I made a sales call today on a die hard Arky baseball fan and he is convinced somehow Arkansas should have found a way to keep him. It was fun telling him I was in Omaha in the Marriott lobby when Vitello came out and the fans were insane. This dude has dialed in great coaching with fan love. Maybe Bruce Pearl was on the same track but Vitello is a maestro. He makes incredible PR moves. Recruiter… He really has it all. Just keep DW here
I've got nothing against Bruce Pearl but he is the ultimate high floor - low ceiling coach that you could ever see. He is a player's coach who only improves at being a better player's coach. Tony's squads get better at baseball throughout the season.
My point was being a good coach and embracing fans. It wasn’t to put them on equal footing. Vitello is a great coach. Exceptional. But he also does many things to connect to fans. Going on Basilio. Wearing ZZ jerseys. Allowing his players to have fun. He isn’t an ass Saban. He’s quite the PR guy too. Pearl and Mears had that showman appeal too. Vitello is just a great coach too. Hoping that articulates my point better.
I'm with you 100%. I apologize if what I said came off as a contradictory point. I merely was pointing out a distinction between two different coaches. Neither of which was imperative to the overall point of what you had posted.
There are a few holdouts. Whether they actually believe it or are just trying to convince themselves might be the question though.
Commitment from the #8 juco pitcher. Previously committed to Texas and asked out of his NIL after the coaching change. https://x.com/volscoops/status/1812285182034301283?s=46