SURPRISED NEWS: Tennessee baseball head coach Tony Vitello has been suspended for the upcoming weekend series against Dayton due to an ongoing NCAA investigation into potential tampering violations during the recruitment of star transfer Maui Ahuna.
The university announced that this suspension is self-imposed as they cooperate with the NCAA to address the issue.
The investigation centers on allegations that Vitello and the Tennessee baseball program had impermissible contact with Ahuna before he officially entered the transfer portal. Ahuna, a standout shortstop from Kansas, committed to Tennessee in June 2022 after the retirement of long-time Jayhawks coach Ritch Price. Since transferring, Ahuna has been declared ineligible by the NCAA, pending the outcome of the investigation, and has yet to make his debut for the Volunteers.
In a statement released Friday afternoon, just before the series opener against Dayton, the University of Tennessee’s athletics department addressed the situation:
“We are working collaboratively with the NCAA to address a violation in the program. Coach Vitello has acknowledged his mistake and accepted full responsibility.”
The university has not disclosed specific details about the violation but emphasized its commitment to honesty and integrity within the program. Vitello’s suspension is part of the university’s efforts to demonstrate cooperation with the NCAA and to mitigate potential penalties.
This suspension adds to Vitello’s history of disciplinary actions. In April 2022, he served a four-game suspension after making contact with an umpire during a heated exchange in a game against Alabama. Reflecting on that incident, Vitello commented, “It is what it is. I probably deserved it.”
The current investigation highlights broader concerns within college athletics regarding tampering and the challenges posed by new transfer rules. The NCAA allows a one-time transfer for student-athletes, with designated portal periods in the summer and winter, leading to increased movement among programs. Some coaches believe that tampering has become more prevalent under these new regulations. One Power-5 head coach noted, “If you aren’t having someone make that phone call, somebody else has most likely already called them twice.”
As the investigation continues, the Tennessee baseball program awaits further rulings from the NCAA regarding both Vitello’s status and Ahuna’s eligibility. The outcome will have significant implications for the Volunteers as they navigate the remainder of
their season.
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