OMAHA, Neb. — Zander Sechrist waxed wonderfully about Tony Vitello on Monday in the aftermath of Tennessee baseball’s first national championship.

The Vols pitcher added a little extra love when he spotted athletics director Danny White in the back of the room during the postgame press conference.

“I am going to put out there I hope there is a lifetime contract coming soon for Coach Vitello,” Sechrist said.

Time will tell what a future contract looks like for Vitello, but White is confident in the pairing between the dynamic coach and the Vols program he has revived — and launched to the top of the sport.

“I don’t think anybody needs to convince him of what he has built here,” White said to Knox News when asked about keeping Vitello at Tennessee long term. “The blood is in the bricks. Our fans know that. He knows that. I know he cares about Tennessee. We all are excited and energized by his leadership.”

What Danny White is excited about with Tennessee baseball, Tony Vitello

White and a large portion of the Tennessee administrative staff drifted through the delighted crowd on the field at Charles Schwab Field on Monday. It marked first national title for White as the AD at Tennessee after he was hired in January 2021.

He lauded Vitello in the initial moments of the celebration.

“There’s no shortcuts,” White said. “He has grinded and built it the right way. That is why it is sustained. We have been in this town now three times in the last four years. You don’t do that by accident. That is not a blip on the radar screen.”

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Baseball has spearheaded a dominant athletic department in recent seasons. The Vols have owned the SEC all-sports championships in three straight years with four SEC titles. UT is one of two Power Five schools to have every sport reach the postseason in the 2023-24 season.

Vitello and his bunch got the biggest title of all.

"You talk about building the best athletic department in the country, that means national championships,“ White said. “Baseball has really propelled us to do that. So excited for this team. They worked so hard. It has been an awesome, awesome season and ride. Fun to see them accomplish their ultimate goal.”

How Lindsey Nelson Stadium continues to factor into plans

Lindsey Nelson Stadium is partway through a multi-phase renovation that has a price tag of more than $100 million, White said.

The stadium added seating down both lines prior to the 2024 season, while suites, a new press box and more upgrades are in the works.

“We are under construction with what I think will be the best stadium in America,” White said. “I think we have the best coaching staff in the country that is headlined by our head coach Tony Vitello. We’ve got some great things going on and intend to continue to build.”

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The original renovations budget was $95.8 million, a figure that was approved in June 2023. Tennessee already added two levels of the left-field porches among other upgrades before breaking ground on an overhaul.

White said Tennessee has — and continues to — put its money where its mouth is with the Lindsey Nelson Stadium changes, which is part of his goal of seeing UT as the top athletics department in the nation.

“I don’t know if there is a better statement to make than sitting here in Omaha winning the national championship,” White said.

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.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Danny White on Tony Vitello's future with Tennessee baseball after title