Wake Forest pitching coach calls out Tennessee Vols fans for chirping at Chase Burns

According to The Athletic's Mitch Light, Burns left Tennessee after a "falling out" with the Vols' coaching staff. 

“There was nothing for me to prove,” said Burns of his transfer to Wake Forest (via The Athletic). “I did it my freshman year. I don’t really need to prove to anybody that I was a starter. I know who I am. And I know how much work I’ve put in, so yeah, it was basically just a big reset. And being back in the starting position feels good.”

Burns likely would've been reinserted into Tennessee's rotation in 2024 had he opted to return to Knoxville. But the "falling out" led to Burns seeking out a new opportunity. 

Wake Forest pitching coach says Tennessee Vols fans hound Chase Burns 24/7

Wake Forest pitching coach Corey Muscara told The Athletic this week that the idea that Burns is a locker room cancer, a narrative he says Tennessee fans like to push, is nonsense. 

“He’s been one of the most fun kids ever to coach,” said Muscara. “Twitter is out of control. The Tennessee fans are belligerent, and they hound him 24-7, no matter what happens, and about how he’s a bad teammate, he’s a cancer."

“Everyone here loves him," added Muscara. "He’s always in a good mood. He loves to play the game. He loves to be coached. He’s very coachable.”

Burns is poised to be a top five or top 10 selection in the 2024 MLB Draft later this summer. But first, he'll hope to lead Wake Forest back to Omaha, where it's possible that the former Vol could run into some of his old teammates on the diamond.