Join Coach Doug Mathews for this special edition of Big Orange Sunday as he is joined by Former Tennessee Head Coach and Athletic Director Phillip Fulmer. Coach Mathews catches you up on all things Tennessee football post spring practice and relives some old stories with Coach Fulmer.

Join Coach Doug Mathews for this special edition of Big Orange Sunday as he is joined by Former Tennessee Head Coach and Athletic Director Phillip Fulmer. Coach Mathews catches you up on all things Tennessee football post spring practice and relives some old stories with Coach Fulmer.

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.

Big Orange Sunday

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Big Orange Sunday 4-27-25

Coach previews the upcoming volunteer football season from a seasoned coach's perspective. Matthews breaks down the favorable 2026 schedule, analyzing key early matchups against Furman, Georgia Tech, and Kennesaw State that will test the Vols' young quarterbacks before they head into rigorous SEC play.

Key topics discussed include:


The Quarterback Competition: An evaluation of how Coach Josh Heupel and Offensive Coordinator Joey Halzle will manage talented young signal-callers Gaston Moore and Jake Merklinger early in the season.


Roster Strategy: A look at the impact of the expanded 105-scholarship limit, managing the transfer portal, and finding success through "addition by subtraction."


Keys to Success: The critical importance of standard fundamental defense and a strong running game to support the passing offense.

The episode also includes a sports results segment with Jimmy Hyams, covering Tennessee women's softball regional play, baseball postseason seeding, and recent achievements in track and field and rowing.

Coach previews the upcoming volunteer football season from a seasoned coach's perspective. Matthews breaks down the favorable 2026 schedule, analyzing key early matchups against Furman, Georgia Tech, and Kennesaw State that will test the Vols' young quarterbacks before they head into rigorous SEC play.
Key topics discussed include:
<ul data-path-to-node="7">
<li>
The Quarterback Competition: An evaluation of how Coach Josh Heupel and Offensive Coordinator Joey Halzle will manage talented young signal-callers Gaston Moore and Jake Merklinger early in the season.
</li>
<li>
Roster Strategy: A look at the impact of the expanded 105-scholarship limit, managing the transfer portal, and finding success through "addition by subtraction."
</li>
<li>
Keys to Success: The critical importance of standard fundamental defense and a strong running game to support the passing offense.
</li>
</ul>
The episode also includes a sports results segment with Jimmy Hyams, covering Tennessee women's softball regional play, baseball postseason seeding, and recent achievements in track and field and rowing.

Big Orange Sunday 5-17-26 

Coach is joined by Jimmy Hyams to break down the latest news surrounding University of Tennessee athletics. In this segment, they discuss the Volunteers' historic national fan attendance record across football, men’s basketball, and women’s basketball, and dive into the surging momentum of the lady Vols softball team as they head into the regional tournament. They also shift focus to the diamond, evaluating Tennessee baseball's climb back to a .500 SEC record, their upcoming matchup against South Carolina in the conference tournament, and how the NCAA selection committee might view their postseason seeding. Finally, they provide a spring update on the football program, highlighting the ongoing quarterback competition and the impact of the team's off-season conditioning program.

Coach is joined by Jimmy Hyams to break down the latest news surrounding University of Tennessee athletics. In this segment, they discuss the Volunteers' historic national fan attendance record across football, men&rsquo;s basketball, and women&rsquo;s basketball, and dive into the surging momentum of the lady Vols softball team as they head into the regional tournament. They also shift focus to the diamond, evaluating Tennessee baseball's climb back to a .500 SEC record, their upcoming matchup against South Carolina in the conference tournament, and how the NCAA selection committee might view their postseason seeding. Finally, they provide a spring update on the football program, highlighting the ongoing quarterback competition and the impact of the team's off-season conditioning program.

BOS - Jimmy Hyams 5-17-26

Coach discuss the upcoming schedule, recruitment updates, and team strategies for the Tennessee Volunteers' 2026 season. highlighting the vital travel windows for the 2027 recruiting class, evaluates the benefits of a 24-team playoff format, and previews challenging non-conference matchups, including Georgia Tech. He also offers a deep dive into modern roster dynamics, detailing how expanded scholarship limits, the transfer portal, and effective NIL management will shape the program's competitive edge.

Coach discuss the upcoming schedule, recruitment updates, and team strategies for the Tennessee Volunteers' 2026 season. highlighting the vital travel windows for the 2027 recruiting class, evaluates the benefits of a 24-team playoff format, and previews challenging non-conference matchups, including Georgia Tech. He also offers a deep dive into modern roster dynamics, detailing how expanded scholarship limits, the transfer portal, and effective NIL management will shape the program's competitive edge.

Big Orange Sunday 4-27-25

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