Tennessee Volunteers Hire Josh Elander as Head Coach

Nashville, Tennessee — The Tennessee Volunteers have officially hired Josh Elander as their new head baseball coach, a move that has created excitement among players and fans alike. The announcement came on Saturday morning, following speculation about his appointment after former coach Tony Vitello moved on to the San Francisco Giants.

Standout 2027 pitcher Cooper Burti expressed his enthusiasm for the new hire, stating he is now ‘200 percent committed’ to the Volunteers. Burti, a highly regarded prospect from New Jersey, had faced concerns that he might back out of his commitment after Vitello’s departure. However, Elander’s reputation as a top recruiter reassured Burti and many others.

Burti committed to Tennessee earlier this year after a visit to see Vitello and the coaching staff. His decision came despite having additional visits scheduled to programs like Miami and Vanderbilt. Reports indicate he felt drawn to the Vols after experiencing their campus and programs firsthand.

According to Prep Baseball Report, Burti is ranked the No. 1 player from New Jersey in his class and No. 77 overall. While there is still time for other programs to pursue him, he has made it clear that Elander’s hiring alleviated many worries for him and his family.

Josh Elander has been a key figure in recruiting and coaching under Vitello, and his appointment as head coach signals a promising future for Tennessee baseball.