The conventional path is managing in Triple-A for a decade. The conventional path is being a polite bench coach, biding your time, saying the right things, and thanking the organization for the opportunity to interview for a main gig every now and again.

From Tennessee coach to San Francisco Giants manager, Tony Vitello faces a steep learning curve. Collegiate machismo and mastery of recruitment can go only so far in MLB.

The biggest news on Rocky Top this week isn't that the Tennessee Vols lost to the Alabama Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa last Saturday night. Instead, the biggest news is the ongoing saga involving Vols baseball coach Tony Vitello and the San Francisco Giants.

Giants top managerial candidate might have done the most confident thing trying to prove he is the right guy for the job.