San Francisco Giants right fielder Drew Gilbert is quite knowledgeable about new Giants manager Tony Vitello. After all, Gilbert played under Vitello's leadership at the University of Tennessee.

When Gilbert found out that the Giants had named Vitello as the team's new manager heading into the 2026 MLB season, he couldn't contain his joy. "I felt like I was shaking when I saw the news," Gilbert said in a phone interview, according to The Athletic. "This is the guy, man."

Gilbert's words might have a little insinuation that Bob Melvin, who was fired after two less-than-impressive seasons as Giants manager, couldn't fire a spark under his players.

Well, it appears that Vitello knows about lighting up his players to do their best on the field.

Gilbert fondly remembers his time at Tennessee. He almost sounds as giddy as a kid opening up a Christmas present, but it's not a present. It's a new manager, a man who Gilbert got to know while playing for the Volunteers.

"Those three years with him changed my life," Gilbert said. "I wouldn’t be here without him. I’m just excited, man. I know how much he wants to win and how intense he is and how much of a players’ coach he is. I can’t wait to see him get around everyone. I truly believe he’ll bring out the best in everybody just like he did in college."

Yes, the college game has one set of challenges as compared to the majors. For one, more MLB players have big-money contracts under their belts. Sure, college players can catch up with NIL money these days. Yet they have not reached the MLB contract stratosphere as of yet.

Also, these are professional major-leaguers who have worked their way from the minor leagues to the big leagues.

Gilbert will have a different challenge or two to face before Spring Training opens up in Mesa, Arizona.

"I know it’s a different game, this and that, hasn’t had any pro ball experience, whatever," Gilbert said in his interview. "But the one thing I do know is he knows how to compete. That doesn’t change whatever level you’re at. At the end of the day, it’s a competition and you’d like to have the best competitor leading us."

Giants fans might have some interesting baseball to watch when Vitello opens up spring camp in a few months.