Vitello leaving Hogs for Vols

FAYETTEVILLE Having seen hitting coach Todd Butler hired to be the head coach at Wichita State after the 2-13 season, Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn hired another hitting coach he predicted he would eventually lose to a head coaching position.

That prediction came true Wednesday.

Tony Vitello, the Razorbacks’ hitting coach and recruiting coordinator since 2014, was named head coach at Tennessee.

Vitello replaces Tennessee coach Dave Serrano, who resigned after six seasons with a 157-163 overall record and 55-120 in the SEC.

"Tony has done an incredible job during his time here at Arkansas as a recruiter and a coach,” Van Horn said Wednesday in a statement issued through the UA.

“He has poured his heart and soul into our program. He's elevated our recruiting. I knew when I hired him that I would probably only have him for three or four years.”

A University of Missouri grad and Tigers baseball letterman from 2000-2002 and a Mizzou assistant coach for eight years, Vitello had been an assistant from 2011 through 2013 at TCU.

“Tony has worked tirelessly as our recruiting coordinator and with our hitters and outfielders,” Van Horn said. “He’s done an outstanding job in both of those areas. He’s worked extremely hard and has brought in some of the best talent from across the country year in and year out for each program he has worked for, and that’s what he’s done here at the University of Arkansas. I’m excited for him, personally and professionally, because I know he has aspired to be a head coach at this type of program. This is great for his career and I couldn't be more happy for Tony and his future."

Josh Elander, an AllAmerican catcher at TCU during Vitello’s tenure there and praised by Van Horn for his work as a Razorbacks volunteer coach this season, could be under consideration by both Van Horn and Vitello for a full-time assistant’s role at Arkansas or Tennessee.