Tony Vitello is suspended for Tennessee baseball‘s series against Dayton as the school and coach are “working collaboratively with the NCAA” to address a violation within the program, UT announced Friday.
“Coach Vitello has acknowledged his mistake and accepted full responsibility,” the UT statement said. “We appreciate his cooperation in the process and his dedication to do right by the student-athletes in the Tennessee baseball program.”
The suspension is a collaboration between Vitello and the UT athletic department, according to a UT spokersperson. It is not an NCAA suspension. It is unclear if Vitello’s suspension is tied to the offseason transfer of Kansas shortstop Maui Ahuna, who has yet to receive clearance from the NCAA.
Hitting coach Josh Elander will oversee No. 2 Tennessee (3-2) in its three-game series against Dayton (0-3) at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. UT said it will provide an update Monday.
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Tennessee did not specify the violation committed.
Ahuna was Tennessee’s top offseason addition. Vitello said Tuesday that Ahuna and UT have a final hurdle to clear for him to receive clearance from NCAA compliance. Ahuna transferred to UT in June after an All-Big 12 season. He batted .396 with eight homers and 48 RBIs for the Jayhawks in 2022. The 6-foot-1, 165-pound shortstop had 16 doubles and four triples.
Ahuna has not yet played for the Vols. Tennessee announced it was awaiting eligibility clearance before its season opener against Arizona on Feb. 17.
“I know professionals from different entities are working on it, which makes me feel as good as I can and, hopefully, him as good as he can about it,” Vitello said Tuesday. “People that are way more professional than me and a lot of people that are looking out for the kid’s sole interest. Hopefully, an update soon but I don’t have something specific now.”
Redshirt sophomore Austin Jaslove has started all six games at shortstop with Ahuna waiting.
It is Vitello’s third suspension in his six seasons at Tennessee.
Vitello was suspended for four games last season after chest-bumping umpire Jeffrey Macias during a game against Alabama. He received a two-game suspension in March 2018 after an argument that started over a balk call.
Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at michael.wilson@knoxnews.com and follow him on Twitter @ByMikeWilson. If you enjoy Mike’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it.