Frank Anderson is leaving the University of Tennessee’s coaching staff for an unspecified role on the Giants’ coaching staff, according to Baseball America’s Jacob Rudner. Anderson had been working as the Volunteers’ pitching coach since 2017, and was acting as the interim head coach after Tony Vitello left the team to become the Giants’ new manager last month.
Now, the 66-year-old Anderson will join Vitello in San Francisco, looking to continue the success the duo shared in Tennessee. This will be Anderson’s first coaching job in the majors, but he isn’t exactly a stranger to the Show, as his son Brett Anderson pitched 13 MLB seasons from 2008-21.
Reports emerged earlier this week that Justin Meccage will be the Giants’ new pitching coach, so Anderson could be taking on an assistant pitching coach job or perhaps could be moving into the bullpen coach vacancy. There has been plenty of turnover on the coaching staff with Vitello coming in, and the new hires have included Meccage, hitting coach Hunter Mense, Jayce Tingler in an unspecified role, and now Anderson.
Like Vitello, Anderson brings a wealth of experience from the collegiate ranks, as Rudner writes that “Anderson is regarded as one of the premier pitching developers in college baseball.” Anderson has over four decades of experience as an assistant and head coach in college ball, including nine seasons as Oklahoma State’s head coach from 2003-2012.
Seems like Tennessee era of success might be in jeopardy. I hope not, but does look like the major contributors have been taken. Good for SFG, but do feel for the Vol’s fans.
Posey, Minasian & Vitello have built a strong coaching staff
Now Giants can focus on adding the right players to the roster
It’s a specified role already, he’s going to be the pitching coordinator
Tennessee should see if Chumlee wants to join him, too. He’s loyal and fun to be around.