Coach Doug Matthews is joined by Jimmy Hyams to break down the current state of Tennessee athletics, from critical basketball wins to the evolving landscape of football recruiting. The men’s basketball team recently secured a 77-69 victory over Auburn, a performance defined by rebounding dominance and a standout night from Nate Ament, who drew nine fouls and went 12-of-15 from the free-throw line. Meanwhile, the Lady Vols are set to renew their storied rivalry against UConn on February 1st, looking to repeat last year's upset win against a Huskies team that went on to win the national title.

On the football front, the program is transitioning into the Jim Knowles era on defense, with Knowles having the rare opportunity to hand-pick his entire coaching staff. This new defensive identity is bolstered by the retention of respected veterans Rodney Garner and William Inge, alongside a top-10 2026 recruiting class led by five-star quarterback Faizon Brandon. The hosts credit Athletic Director Danny White for fostering an "everything school" culture, where the synergy between programs and coaching stability has Tennessee competing at an elite level across all sports.

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In this episode of Big Orange Sunday Coach discusses the current state of Tennessee athletics, focusing on leadership, recent wins in basketball, and significant changes in the football program under Coach Josh Heupel. The conversation highlights the importance of strength and conditioning, the critical month of February for coaches, and the impact of new defensive staff. Insights from basketball analyst Jimmy Himes provide a deeper understanding of the team's performance and challenges, particularly for the Lady Vols as they face UConn. Overall, the episode emphasizes the strong leadership within the athletic department and the strategic moves being made to enhance team success.

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In this episode of Big Orange Sunday, coach discusses the evolving landscape of college football, particularly focusing on the transfer portal and its implications for the University of Tennessee. The conversation highlights how the transfer portal has changed the dynamics of team rosters, with Coach Josh Heupel adapting his strategies to navigate these changes effectively. Coach emphasizes the importance of understanding player commitments and the impact of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals on recruitment and retention of players. The episode also touches on the current state of Tennessee's football program, including the number of players entering the transfer portal and the strategies being employed to recruit new talent.

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Coach talks to Jimmy Hyams to break down the rapidly evolving landscape of Tennessee athletics. The discussion centers on the football program's aggressive offseason moves, specifically its heavy activity in the transfer portal, where the team has signed 14 players, including several key defensive acquisitions from Penn State. A major point of analysis is the quarterback strategy, weighing whether to lean on a veteran or allow young prospects like George MacIntyre and Faizon Brandon time to develop as they compete for the starting role.

The conversation also shifts to Tennessee basketball, analyzing the men's team's recent struggles with consistency and the Lady Vols' strong momentum in SEC play. Throughout the segment, Mathews and Hyams touch on the broader impact of NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals and the trend of playing more true freshmen to maintain roster depth and player satisfaction.

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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.

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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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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!

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Coach Is joined by Jimmy Hyams to discuss the current landscape of Tennessee athletics. The conversation quickly dives into the significant changes within the football program, focusing on the defensive struggles of the 2025 season and the subsequent hiring of Jim Knowles as the new defensive coach. They transition to basketball, analyzing the Volunteers' performance and highlighting the critical role of free-throw shooting and turnovers in their recent loss to Arkansas. The segment concludes with a look ahead at the competitive SEC field and an update on the Lady Vols' season, as well as high expectations for the baseball team under new leadership at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

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