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Jay Graham has coached at 10 colleges over the past 16 years, most notably Tennessee (2005, 2012, 2020), South Carolina (2009-11), Florida State (2013-17), Texas A&M (2018-19) and Alabama (2021).

Now he's building the Concord Christian School football program — first at middle school and eventually high school. 

On this edition of “The Volunteer State,” Blake Toppmeyer of the USA TODAY Network and Adam Sparks of Knox News discuss Graham's 2021 exit from Alabama, the exhausting pace of SEC coaching and his future outside of college football.

Stay connected on Twitter with Blake (@btoppmeyer) Adam (@AdamSparks) Mike (@ByMikeWilson) and John (@JohnAdamsKNS) and stay up to date on Vols sports news by following @GoVolsXtra. 

Connect on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/GoVolsXtra/

Subscribe to KnoxNews: knoxnews.com/subscribe

Jay Graham has coached at 10 colleges over the past 16 years, most notably Tennessee (2005, 2012, 2020), South Carolina (2009-11), Florida State (2013-17), Texas A&amp;M (2018-19) and Alabama (2021).
Now he's building the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.concordchristianschool.org/">Concord Christian School</a>&nbsp;football program&nbsp;&mdash; first at middle school and eventually high school.&nbsp;
On this edition of &ldquo;The Volunteer State,&rdquo; Blake Toppmeyer of the USA TODAY Network and Adam Sparks of Knox News discuss Graham's 2021 exit from Alabama, the exhausting pace of SEC coaching and his future outside of college football.
Stay connected on Twitter with Blake (@btoppmeyer) Adam (@AdamSparks) Mike (@ByMikeWilson) and John (@JohnAdamsKNS) and stay up to date on Vols sports news by following @GoVolsXtra. 
Connect on Facebook - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GoVolsXtra/">https://www.facebook.com/GoVolsXtra/</a>
Subscribe to KnoxNews: knoxnews.com/subscribe

The Volunteer State is a Tennessee Vols sports podcast covering sports topics from the University of Tennessee featuring The Knoxville News Sentinel's John Adams, Mike Wilson and Blake Toppmeyer. The Tennessean, Nashville Tennessee.

The Volunteer State is a Tennessee Vols sports podcast covering sports topics from the University of Tennessee featuring The Knoxville News Sentinel's John Adams, Mike Wilson and Blake Toppmeyer. The Tennessean, Nashville Tennessee.

A Tennessee Vols podcast from the USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee.

The Volunteer State

The Volunteer State is a Tennessee Vols sports podcast covering sports topics from the University of Tennessee featuring The Knoxville News Sentinel's John Adams, Mike Wilson and Blake Toppmeyer.

Jay Graham left college football coaching over mental health concerns. Will he return?

Tennessee football can rest easy about its starting quarterback situation. Not only is Nico Iamaleava the starter, he's a star in the making. Iamaleava's tidy performance in Saturday's spring game reiterated that all is well with Tennessee's QB1.

Elsewhere on the roster, it's more of a mixed situation. The Vols face areas they could solidify entering this spring transfer portal window.

On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and Adam Sparks review the spring game and address some lingering burning questions.

Which areas of the roster look like strengths? Where does Tennessee require reinforcements? Who's the backup quarterback, and should Tennessee trust him?

Let's dive in.

Stay connected on Twitter with Blake (@btoppmeyer) Adam (@AdamSparks) Mike (@ByMikeWilson) and John (@JohnAdamsKNS) and stay up to date on Vols sports news by following @GoVolsXtra. 

Connect on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/GoVolsXtra/

Subscribe to KnoxNews: knoxnews.com/subscribe

<a href="https://www.knoxnews.com/sports/govolsxtra/" aria-label="Link Tennessee football">Tennessee football</a> can rest easy about its starting quarterback situation. Not only is <a href="https://www.knoxnews.com/story/sports/college/university-of-tennessee/football/2024/04/16/nico-iamaleava-tennessee-football-quarterback-spring-game-mailbag/73272663007/" aria-label="Link Nico Iamaleava">Nico Iamaleava</a> the starter, he's a star in the making. Iamaleava's tidy performance in Saturday's spring game reiterated that all is well with Tennessee's QB1.
Elsewhere on the roster, it's more of a mixed situation. The Vols face areas they could solidify entering this <a href="https://www.knoxnews.com/story/sports/college/university-of-tennessee/football/2024/04/13/tennessee-football-transfer-portal-spring-2024-josh-heupel/73205004007/" aria-label="Link spring transfer portal window">spring transfer portal window</a>.
On today's episode, hosts <a href="https://twitter.com/btoppmeyer" aria-label="Link Blake Toppmeyer">Blake Toppmeyer</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/AdamSparks" aria-label="Link Adam Sparks">Adam Sparks</a> review <a href="https://www.knoxnews.com/story/sports/college/university-of-tennessee/football/2024/04/13/tennessee-football-nico-iamaleava-spring-game-orange-white-josh-heupel/72695908007/" aria-label="Link the spring game">the spring game</a> and address some lingering burning questions.
Which areas of the roster look like strengths? Where does Tennessee require reinforcements? Who's the backup quarterback, and should Tennessee trust him?
Let's dive in.
Stay connected on Twitter with Blake (@btoppmeyer) Adam (@AdamSparks) Mike (@ByMikeWilson) and John (@JohnAdamsKNS) and stay up to date on Vols sports news by following @GoVolsXtra. 
Connect on Facebook - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GoVolsXtra/">https://www.facebook.com/GoVolsXtra/</a>
Subscribe to KnoxNews: knoxnews.com/subscribe

6 burning Tennessee football questions after spring game, as transfer portal opens

The Lady Vols are all in on Kim Caldwell's upside.

Tennessee athletic director Danny White didn't want to miss the boat on Caldwell or delay hiring a coach whose career is on an upward trajectory. Two years ago, Caldwell led Division II Glenville State to its first national championship. This season, her first as a Division I coach, she took Marshall to the NCAA Tournament.

Now, she coaches a blueblood. Caldwell's fast track matches her teams' high-octane style of play.

On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer, Cora Hall and John Adams review Caldwell's introductory presser, outline what success looks like in Year 1 and grade the hire.

The verdict: Not an 'A' hire, but a passing grade.

Stay connected on Twitter with Blake (@btoppmeyer) Adam (@AdamSparks) Cora (@corahalll) and John (@JohnAdamsKNS) and stay up to date on Vols sports news by following @GoVolsXtra. 

Connect on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/GoVolsXtra/

Subscribe to KnoxNews: knoxnews.com/subscribe

The <a href="https://www.knoxnews.com/story/sports/columnists/university-of-tennessee/john-adams/2024/04/09/kim-caldwell-lady-vols-basketball-coach-danny-white/73239676007/" aria-label="Link Lady Vols are all in on Kim Caldwell's upside.">Lady Vols are all in on Kim Caldwell's upside.</a>
Tennessee athletic director <a href="https://www.knoxnews.com/story/sports/college/university-of-tennessee/womens-sports/2024/04/09/danny-white-pat-summitt-lady-vols-basketball-coach-kim-caldwell/73238477007/" aria-label="Link Danny White">Danny White</a> didn't want to miss the boat on Caldwell or delay hiring a coach whose career is on an upward trajectory. Two years ago, Caldwell led Division II Glenville State to its first national championship. This season, her first as a Division I coach, she took Marshall to the NCAA Tournament.
Now, she coaches a blueblood. Caldwell's fast track matches her teams' high-octane style of play.
On today's episode, hosts <a href="https://twitter.com/btoppmeyer" aria-label="Link Blake Toppmeyer">Blake Toppmeyer</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/corahalll" aria-label="Link Cora Hall">Cora Hall</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/johnadamskns" aria-label="Link John Adams">John Adams</a> review Caldwell's introductory presser, outline what success looks like in Year 1 and grade the hire.
The verdict: Not an 'A' hire, but a passing grade.
Stay connected on Twitter with Blake (@btoppmeyer) Adam (@AdamSparks) Cora (@corahalll) and John (@JohnAdamsKNS) and stay up to date on Vols sports news by following @GoVolsXtra. 
Connect on Facebook - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GoVolsXtra/">https://www.facebook.com/GoVolsXtra/</a>
Subscribe to KnoxNews: knoxnews.com/subscribe

Grading Lady Vols' hire of Kim Caldwell: Not an 'A,' but passing grade

Danny White faces a big decision – his biggest decision, in fact, since he hired Josh Heupel in 2021.

White is conducting a Lady Vols coaching search that will reshape the direction of the program. Kellie Harper maintained the program as an NCAA Tournament regular, but she repeatedly peaked in the Sweet 16, and the Lady Vols were eliminated in the second round this year. Recruiting momentum had stalled.

White acted boldly by firing a coach who played for Summitt and who won 20 games this season.

Now, he must be bold in his quest to hire just the fourth coach in program history. The last two Lady Vols coaches came from the Pat Summitt tree. Will White look outside the Lady Vols family for this hire? That seems likely.

On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer, Cora Hall and John Adams weigh in on the Lady Vols search.

First, they address the candidacy of Duke's Kara Lawson. Verdict: Lawson should not be viewed as the frontrunner.

Then, each offers two swing-for-the-fences candidates, plus a fallback option.

Stay connected on Twitter with Blake (@btoppmeyer) Adam (@AdamSparks) and John (@JohnAdamsKNS) and stay up to date on Vols sports news by following @GoVolsXtra. 

Connect on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/GoVolsXtra/

Subscribe to KnoxNews: knoxnews.com/subscribe

<a href="https://www.knoxnews.com/story/sports/columnists/university-of-tennessee/john-adams/2024/04/01/kellie-harper-lady-vols-basketball-coach-danny-white-tennessee-pat-summitt/73168896007/" aria-label="Link Danny White">Danny White</a> faces a big decision – his biggest decision, in fact, since he hired Josh Heupel in 2021.
White is conducting a <a href="https://www.knoxnews.com/story/sports/college/university-of-tennessee/womens-basketball/2024/04/03/tennessee-lady-vols-basketball-search-coach-candidate-kellie-harper-danny-white/73112456007/" aria-label="Link Lady Vols coaching search">Lady Vols coaching search</a> that will reshape the direction of the program. Kellie Harper maintained the program as an NCAA Tournament regular, but she repeatedly peaked in the Sweet 16, and the Lady Vols were eliminated in the second round this year. Recruiting momentum had stalled.
White acted boldly by firing a coach who played for Summitt and who won 20 games this season.
Now, he must be bold in his quest to hire just the fourth coach in program history. The last two Lady Vols coaches came from the Pat Summitt tree. Will White look outside the Lady Vols family for this hire? That seems likely.
On today's episode, hosts <a href="https://twitter.com/btoppmeyer" aria-label="Link Blake Toppmeyer">Blake Toppmeyer</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/corahalll" aria-label="Link Cora Hall">Cora Hall</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/johnadamskns" aria-label="Link John Adams">John Adams</a> weigh in on the Lady Vols search.
First, they address the candidacy of Duke's Kara Lawson. Verdict: Lawson should not be viewed as the frontrunner.
Then, each offers two swing-for-the-fences candidates, plus a fallback option.
Stay connected on Twitter with Blake (@btoppmeyer) Adam (@AdamSparks) and John (@JohnAdamsKNS) and stay up to date on Vols sports news by following @GoVolsXtra. 
Connect on Facebook - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GoVolsXtra/">https://www.facebook.com/GoVolsXtra/</a>
Subscribe to KnoxNews: knoxnews.com/subscribe

Jay Graham left college football coaching over mental health concerns. Will he return?

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