Welcome to another edition of Big Orange Sunday with former UT Defensive Coordinator Doug Mathews! On this week's show, Doug reacts to the biggest news of the offseason: the hiring of Jim Knowles as Tennessee's new Defensive Coordinator. Doug explains why the 60-year-old veteran is the "proven" solution the Vols need, breaking down Knowles' aggressive philosophy and his ability to fix the fundamental tackling and containment issues that plagued the defense in 2025.

As the Vols prepare to face Illinois in the Music City Bowl on December 30th, Doug outlines the team's holiday practice schedule and discusses the current roster turnover. He also tackles the biggest question mark for 2026: the quarterback position. Will Josh Heupel stick with his talented young guns like Merklinger and McIntyre, or look for a veteran in the portal? Doug weighs in on what he calls the "toughest decision" of Heupel's tenure.

Welcome to another edition of Big Orange Sunday with former UT Defensive Coordinator Doug Mathews! On this week's show, Doug reacts to the biggest news of the offseason: the hiring of Jim Knowles as Tennessee's new Defensive Coordinator. Doug explains why the 60-year-old veteran is the "proven" solution the Vols need, breaking down Knowles' aggressive philosophy and his ability to fix the fundamental tackling and containment issues that plagued the defense in 2025.
As the Vols prepare to face Illinois in the Music City Bowl on December 30th, Doug outlines the team's holiday practice schedule and discusses the current roster turnover. He also tackles the biggest question mark for 2026: the quarterback position. Will Josh Heupel stick with his talented young guns like Merklinger and McIntyre, or look for a veteran in the portal? Doug weighs in on what he calls the "toughest decision" of Heupel's tenure.

Former University of Tennessee coordinator Doug Mathews brings you the latest news and analysis every weekend on 104-5 The Zone. Find the show LIVE every Sunday morning at 8 AM and check out the full podcast right here every weekend.

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Big Orange Sunday 12-14-25

Coach talks to Jimmy Hyams  on the shifting landscape of Tennessee football as it prepares for the 2026 season. The team has been particularly active in the transfer portal, signing nine players thus far with a heavy emphasis on bolstering the defense, including four notable acquisitions from Penn State. However, significant needs remain on the offensive side of the ball, particularly for a proven wide receiver and running back. A central point of debate for the program is the quarterback strategy: whether to recruit a one-year veteran from the portal to allow young talents like George MacIntyre and Faizon Brandon time to develop, or to bring in a multi-year player that could potentially lead to roster turnover among the younger prospects.

The conversation then shifts to the current performance of the Tennessee basketball programs as of January 2026. The men’s team, holding an 11-5 record, is struggling with consistency on the road, recently suffering a significant 24-point loss to Florida characterized by high turnovers and defensive lapses. In contrast, the Lady Vols under Coach Kim Caldwell are off to a strong 3-0 start in SEC play, led by standout performances from five-star freshman Mia Poldo. While the men's team navigates a volatile SEC landscape currently led by an undefeated Vanderbilt, the Lady Vols are focused on maintaining their momentum to secure a top-four seed and a double-bye in the conference tournament.

Coach talks to Jimmy Hyams&nbsp; on the shifting landscape of Tennessee football as it prepares for the 2026 season. The team has been particularly active in the transfer portal, signing nine players thus far with a heavy emphasis on bolstering the defense, including four notable acquisitions from Penn State. However, significant needs remain on the offensive side of the ball, particularly for a proven wide receiver and running back. A central point of debate for the program is the quarterback strategy: whether to recruit a one-year veteran from the portal to allow young talents like George MacIntyre and Faizon Brandon time to develop, or to bring in a multi-year player that could potentially lead to roster turnover among the younger prospects.
The conversation then shifts to the current performance of the Tennessee basketball programs as of January 2026. The men&rsquo;s team, holding an 11-5 record, is struggling with consistency on the road, recently suffering a significant 24-point loss to Florida characterized by high turnovers and defensive lapses. In contrast, the Lady Vols under Coach Kim Caldwell are off to a strong 3-0 start in SEC play, led by standout performances from five-star freshman Mia Poldo. While the men's team navigates a volatile SEC landscape currently led by an undefeated Vanderbilt, the Lady Vols are focused on maintaining their momentum to secure a top-four seed and a double-bye in the conference tournament.

 BOS-Jimmy Hyams 01-11-26

 

Welcome to another edition of Big Orange Sunday! Join us as we dive into the latest happenings in Tennessee sports. This week, we're joined by Jimmy Hyams to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the University of Tennessee's football team, including insights into the transfer portal and the evolving landscape of college football. Don't miss this engaging conversation on the future of Tennessee athletics!

 

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Welcome to another edition of Big Orange Sunday! Join us as we dive into the latest happenings in Tennessee sports. This week, we're joined by Jimmy Hyams to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the University of Tennessee's football team, including insights into the transfer portal and the evolving landscape of college football. Don't miss this engaging conversation on the future of Tennessee athletics!
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Big Orange Sunday 1-11-26

Welcome to another edition of Big Orange Sunday with Former UT Defensive Coordinator Coach Doug Mathews! Coach talks all things Tennessee Football and Basketball and is joined by Jimmy Hyams as the offseason gets under full swing for Vol Football and SEC Conference play begins with Vol Basketball!

Welcome to another edition of Big Orange Sunday with Former UT Defensive Coordinator Coach Doug Mathews! Coach talks all things Tennessee Football and Basketball and is joined by Jimmy Hyams as the offseason gets under full swing for Vol Football and SEC Conference play begins with Vol Basketball!

Big Orange Sunday 12-14-25

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