re: Vols bigtime opening up bank account to keep Vitello

Right.

I believe Corbin is currently the highest paid NCAA baseball coach at $1.2MM base plus $234k in bonuses each year. I believe the original offer to Vitello was likely just north of that. And that offer would make him the highest paid coach in NCAA baseball. If LSU offered him $2.1MM, they've blown Tennessee's offer out of the water.

quote:

---

That entire lineup besides two starters are leaving but I agree on the atmosphere.

---

They won’t win 50 games next year after losing so much experience but with the way he recruits they aren’t going to fall off the map the way some here are thinking.

That's a bit much for a guy with his limited track record. And I've supported the idea of hiring him here, but you have to earn "highest paid coach in America" status. If he comes here and takes this program back to national prominence, LSU can certainly raise his salary to be highest in the country.

If the Vols are going to give him that right now, I say pass and let them have him. But, I'm not so sure these "sources" are real. Sounds like Vitello's agent doing his job.

I’m not sure about that…… he will stay in TENN… LSU is still a great job but not what it used to be….

Why rush to sign it when you can wait it out and once’s in Omaha his value would go up just like it has.

But you aren’t following the tweets correctly. That was in response to a different Tenn. poster talking about what was felt to be the original offer. One Team Podcast is not saying LSU offer is above what Swain is now talking about. It is above what the other Tennessee poster was referencing

quote:

---

he will stay in TENN

---

quote:

---

I’m not sure about that…… he will stay in TENN… LSU is still a great job but not what it used to be….

---

quote:

---

You're kidding yourself if you don't think the pressure will immediately build if UT makes him the highest paid baseball coach in the country. He made it to the CWS in his fourth season.

---

No question there will be increased pressure. But even with this great season Tennessee baseball is going to remain a distant 3rd in terms of fan interest. At least not enough in the immediacy to demand the firing of the HC who has made them relevant for the first time in forever. It's no different than Will Wade at LSU. Despite the fact he's going into year 5 with really only one season of tremendous success LSU fans are still happy (some downright giddy) that he just makes the NCAAT. Why? Because before him the program was desolate...just like Tenn. baseball.

quote:

---

You think the UT fans are now just going to be happy with regional appearances?

---

Long term probably not. But I think, no, I know, they will be more patient than LSU fans when it comes to baseball. For LSU fans the BASELINE expectation for success is making the CWS each year. And just making the CWS only satisfies them for a short time. It's not enough just to make it. You have to win it.

I'm not saying that is the wrong attitude for LSU fans to have. Just that Tennessee fans are a LONG way from reaching that level of expectations for their HC.

Jayson Swain prolly has more or just as much inside info than anyone else out there. He has his own radio talk show which he covers the Vols athletics extensively.