Tennessee
Josh Elander won’t coach Tennessee baseball like a Tony Vitello impression
Tennessee baseball coach Josh Elander told a room full of fans that there should be a statue of Tony Vitello on campus, but he doesn’t plan on filling his predecessor’s mold precisely.
“I’m really just trying to be myself. I’m not trying to be anything else,” Elander said after speaking to the UT Tipoff Club at Calhoun’s On The River on Jan. 19. “I know Tony was amazing with the media. I’m just very grateful to be here and incredibly motivated to get these (players) ready to rock and roll.”
In October, Elander replaced Vitello, who became the San Francisco Giants manager. He spent the winter retooling UT’s 39-player roster, integrating the nation’s No. 1 recruiting class into the program and reminding himself that he doesn’t have to change in his new position.
“I’m not trying to be Tony,” Elander said. “I’m trying to be the best version of myself.”
So who is Josh Elander? During the 30-minute meet-and-greet, he came off as genuine, humble and extremely organized.
The native Texan has a full beard and wore a camouflage vest to speak to fans who pledged their support for him. He easily recalled personal stories about players, laid out detailed plans about his lineup, gushed over his wife and three daughters and cracked a few jokes.
When Elander was a UT assistant, he sometimes had to serve as the acting coach when Vitello and pitching coach Frank Anderson were ejected from games for arguing with the umpire.
“Well, I’m definitely (getting ejected) at some point (as head coach), and I’ve learned from the best. After seeing Tony and Frank do it, I know about 10 different ways to get tossed,” said Elander to a roaring room of laughter.
Josh Elander debut as Tennessee baseball coach coming soon
But that’s just a snippet of Elander’s personality that’ll become better known as the Vols move into his coaching era.
With the 2026 season approaching, Elander is reintroducing himself to UT fans. He’s no longer just the elite recruiter and hitting coach that assisted Vitello en route to three College World Series trips and the 2024 national championship.
He’s the head coach, and his debut is coming soon.
Tennessee starts its 2026 season with eight straight nonconference home games at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. The Vols will play a three-game series against Nicholls (Feb. 13-15) and Kent State (Feb. 20-22). And they’ll host UNC Asheville (Feb. 17) and Bellarmine (Feb. 24) in midweek games.
Then Tennessee will play three games in the Amegy Bank College Baseball Series at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas: UCLA on Feb. 27 (4 p.m. ET); Arizona State on Feb. 28 (noon); Virginia Tech on March 1 (11:30 a.m.).
Notably, UCLA is the nation’s No. 1 team in the D1Baseball preseason poll. Tennessee is ranked No. 14.
UT’s challenging SEC schedule opens at Georgia on March 13.
Elander plans to coach like Tony Vitello in some areas
Elander wants to lead UT baseball like an ultra-organized CEO similar to Texas coach Jim Schlossnagle, whom he played for at TCU. And he wants to do that with the calmness and the instincts of Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn, whom he coached under with the Razorbacks.
And Elander credits Vitello as his most significant influence. He said Vitello held players accountable while never allowing “fakeness” into a relationship.
But Elander knows he doesn’t have to attempt a Vitello impression to please fans. He just needs to win at a high level, and he’s got a plan for that.
The Vols are loaded with talent because of high-level recruiting and transfer portal pickups. They tout elite pitching, and they should remain one of the best hitting teams in college baseball.
But Elander also wants UT to play disciplined defense that relies on fundamentals rather than flashy highlights.
“I tell the guys that we don’t need NBA point guards. We don’t need the behind-the-back spinning throw,” Elander said. “I just want them to protect 90 feet and dominate the average play.”
It’s a subtle change from last season’s team, but probably not the last. Elander is trying to continue the Vols’ success under Vitello while putting his own stamp on the program.
Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email adam.sparks@knoxnews.com. X, formerly known as Twitter@AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.
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Published on Mar. 4, 2026
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Vanderbilt basketball guard Frankie Collins is leaving the program, head coach Mark Byington announced on Tuesday night. The news comes just days before the Commodores are set to face off against Tennessee in the regular season finale, with the Volunteers looking to clinch a top-four seed and double-bye in the SEC Tournament.
Why it matters
Collins was Vanderbilt’s most highly touted transfer last offseason, but injuries limited him to just nine games this season. His departure leaves the Commodores shorthanded heading into a crucial matchup against their in-state rival Tennessee, who are seeking to complete a regular season sweep.
The details
The 6-foot-1 guard averaged 7.8 points, 4.7 assists and 4.2 rebounds per game this season, but suffered a meniscus injury in December that sidelined him for the majority of the year. With the emergence of sophomore point guard Tyler Tanner and Oklahoma transfer Duke Miles, Collins never quite found his footing in the Vanderbilt lineup.
- Frankie Collins left the Vanderbilt program on Tuesday, March 4, 2026.
- Vanderbilt is scheduled to face Tennessee on Saturday, March 8, 2026.
The players
Frankie Collins
A 6-foot-1 guard who was Vanderbilt’s most highly touted transfer last offseason, coming to Nashville after spending the 2024-25 season at TCU and the three prior years at Arizona State and Michigan.
Mark Byington
The head coach of the Vanderbilt Commodores basketball team.
Tyler Tanner
The sophomore point guard who emerged as a key player for Vanderbilt this season.
Duke Miles
An Oklahoma transfer shooting guard who joined the Vanderbilt roster this season.
Rick Barnes
The head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers basketball team.
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What they’re saying
“Frankie has left Nashville, and he’s not gonna be on the team. It’s gonna be good for both sides of it. We wish him well. So we’ll roll with the guys we got.”
— Mark Byington, Head Coach, Vanderbilt Commodores (rockytopinsider.com)
What’s next
With a victory over Vanderbilt, Tennessee will clinch a top four-seed and a double-bye in next week’s SEC Tournament. Vanderbilt could potentially earn a double-bye themselves with a win and a little extra help.
The takeaway
The loss of Frankie Collins leaves Vanderbilt shorthanded heading into a crucial matchup against in-state rival Tennessee, who are seeking to complete a regular season sweep. The Commodores will have to rely on the emergence of players like Tyler Tanner and Duke Miles to try and pull off the upset and keep their own postseason hopes alive.
Published on Mar. 3, 2026
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According to ESPN’s latest NFL mock draft, three former Tennessee Volunteers players are projected to be selected in the top 60 picks of the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft. Cornerbacks Jermod McCoy and Colton Hood are both projected to be first-round picks, while wide receiver Chris Brazzell II is projected to be a second-round selection.
Why it matters
The strong NFL Draft projections for Tennessee players highlight the continued talent development and success of the Volunteers football program under head coach Josh Heupel. If these projections hold true, it would mark the first time Tennessee has had two first-round picks and three players selected in the top 60 overall during Heupel’s tenure.
The details
Cornerback Jermod McCoy is projected to be selected 29th overall by the Los Angeles Rams, despite not participating in on-field workouts at the NFL Combine due to a previous ACL injury. Teammate Colton Hood is projected to be the final pick of the first round, going 32nd overall to the Seattle Seahawks. Wide receiver Chris Brazzell II impressed at the Combine with a 4.37 40-yard dash and is projected to be a second-round pick, going 60th overall to the Buffalo Bills.
- The NFL Combine was held in late February 2026.
- Tennessee’s Pro Day workouts are scheduled for the end of March 2026.
- The 2026 NFL Draft will take place in April-May 2026.
The players
Jermod McCoy
A cornerback for the Tennessee Volunteers who is projected to be a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, despite missing the 2025 season due to an ACL injury.
Colton Hood
A cornerback for the Tennessee Volunteers who is projected to be a first-round pick, going 32nd overall to the Seattle Seahawks in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Chris Brazzell II
A wide receiver for the Tennessee Volunteers who impressed at the NFL Combine with a 4.37 40-yard dash and is projected to be a second-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
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What they’re saying
“If we’re going strictly by talent, McCoy is a top-10 prospect in this class. But he hasn’t played a game since 2024, missing all of last season after suffering an ACL tear in January 2025. We’re still not sure where he’s at in his recovery, as he did not participate in testing or drills at the combine. This gives the Rams — who haven’t drafted a corner in the first round since 2006 or before Day 3 since 2019 — the potential to get a steal here. McCoy is an easy mover who has squeaky-clean technique.”
— Jordan Reid, ESPN Analyst (ESPN)
“The reigning champions have a clear need at corner, as Josh Jobe and Riq Woolen are both scheduled to be free agents. Hood is a scheme-versatile player who can thrive in press man while also having the fluidity to excel in zone. A former all-state center fielder in high school, Hood’s ball skills frequently show up on tape (10 pass breakups and an interception last season). With his poised technique and wrap-up-and-finish tackling, he would fit well on the outside of Mike Macdonald’s secondary.”
— Jordan Reid, ESPN Analyst (ESPN)
“The Bills need someone who can separate on the outside, and Brazzell is an ‘X’ receiver who can be a deep vertical threat. He can also sink his weight and run a true route tree, making him a good fit with quarterback Josh Allen.”
— Jordan Reid, ESPN Analyst (ESPN)
What’s next
Tennessee’s Pro Day workouts are scheduled for the end of March 2026, where McCoy plans to participate in on-field drills to further showcase his recovery from the ACL injury. Strong performances at the Pro Day could potentially push McCoy back up draft boards into the top half of the first round.
The takeaway
The strong NFL Draft projections for Tennessee players demonstrate the continued talent development and success of the Volunteers football program under head coach Josh Heupel. If these projections hold true, it would mark a significant milestone for the program, with Tennessee potentially having two first-round picks and three players selected in the top 60 overall for the first time during Heupel’s tenure.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WCYB) — Tennessee Athletics’ “Big Orange Caravan” presented by Pilot will roll into the Tri-Cities on April 30, bringing some of the university’s most recognizable faces to Kingsport.
The statewide tour, a collaboration between Tennessee Athletics and the UT Knoxville Office of Alumni Affairs, features Vice Chancellor/Director of Athletics Danny White, men’s basketball coach Rick Barnes, women’s basketball coach Kim Caldwell, head football coach Josh Heupel and “Voice of the Vols” Mike Keith.
The Tri-Cities stop is scheduled for Thursday, April 30, at Meadowview Convention Center, 1901 Meadowview Parkway, Kingsport, Tennessee. Doors open at 5 p.m., followed by a meet-and-greet session with the headliners from 5:30-6:15 p.m. The program begins at 6:15 p.m.
Hosted by Keith, the evening will include stories, program insight and a question-and-answer session with Tennessee’s athletics leaders and coaches. The UT Spirit Squads also will be in attendance.
Tickets are $30, plus taxes and fees, and include light food options. A cash bar, along with additional light food and appetizers, will be available.
Of each ticket sold, $5 will benefit the local UT Alumni chapter’s scholarship endowment and $10 will go toward the My All Campaign.
The Tri-Cities event is the final stop of the three-city spring tour. The caravan opens in Chattanooga on April 28 before heading to Nashville on April 29. As announced last spring, Chattanooga and Memphis will alternate as tour stops each year.
The Big Orange Caravan is designed to connect Tennessee coaches and administrators with fans across the state, offering behind-the-scenes insight and celebrating the support of the Volunteer community.
Tickets for the Tri-Cities stop can be purchased at https://www.gofevo.com/event/BOCTriCities26
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