Josh Elander Officially Named Tennessee Baseball Coach, Signs Five-Year, $1โฃ Million Deal
KNOXVILLE – Josh Elander has been officially named the new head baseball coach โfor the University of Tennessee, signing a five-yearโฃ contract worthโฃ $1 million annually, according to a memorandum of understanding obtained by knox News. โthe appointment follows the โคrecent โdeparture of Tony Vitelloโข and marks a new era for the Volunteers’ nationally-ranked program.
Elander’s hiring by athletics director Danny White was โขfinalized on Octoberโฃ 25th. Previously serving as the associate head coach, Elander was earning $485,000 per year. The new contract represents a notable increase in compensation, reflecting the โขprogram’sโ success and expectations for continued performance. โข
The โcontractโค includes a tiered bonus structure tied to postseason achievements. Elander canโ earn up to $200,000 for winning the College World Series, wiht โขadditional bonuses for โคreaching the finals ($160,000), the College World Seriesโค ($140,000), a โSuper Regional โ($100,000), hosting a Regionalโข ($60,000), and appearing in a Regional โ($40,000).
Success within the โSoutheastern conference also carries financial incentives. Elander is eligible โขfor an โค$80,000 bonus for winning either the SEC regular-season title or the SECโข Tournament title, โand a $20,000 bonus for reaching the SECโ Tournament.
Shouldโฃ Elander be โterminated without cause, his buyoutโฃ clause stipulates he will receive 50% of his remaining contract pay.For context, former coach Tony Vitello was earning $3โ millionโ annually afterโ receivingโ a record-setting contract โฃin August โข2024, aโ substantial increase fromโค his initial five-year dealโ in 2017 which averagedโฃ $493,000โ annually.