KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee baseball head coach Tony Vitello is adding some former players to his staff this season.
Former graduate student pitcher Kirby Connell will join as a quality control analyst, while utility player Ethan Payne will serve as a graduate assistant under Vitello.
Connell ended his Tennessee career by throwing in all three College World Series Finals games against Florida State. His performance helped lead the Vols to the program's first National Championship.
Connell was a fan favorite, always sporting a mustache and fun cleats to match. Vitello often put Connell on the mound during critical situations, including game three of the CWS. When the Aggies cut it to a 6-3 game, Connell delivered a three-pitch strikeout to get the second out. Then he dealt another to end the half-inning with a scream and a fist pump.
As a graduate student, Connell was already seen as a "player-coach." Now, it's official, and fans are happy he's not going anywhere.
