Big Orange Sunday

4.8 (30)
Football
Updated Weekly

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.

2d ago

Big Orange Sunday 06/28/26

Coach recently unpacked the sweeping structural changes reshaping college football—ranging from the NCAA’s new July dead period providing vital staff downtime to revenue sharing, age limits, expanded playoffs, the recruiting split between high school and portal players, and the strain unlimited official visits place on smaller FCS programs—emphasizing that rapid adaptation is essential for maintaining a competitive edge. Amidst these broader industry shifts, Coach also addressed the medical disqualification of Edge rusher Chas Coleman, praising both the player and Head Coach Josh Heupel for handling the departure with utmost professionalism. While Coleman's absence leaves a gap in outside speed, defensive coordinator Jim Knowles and defensive line coach Rodney Garner have been preparing for this likelihood since the spring, planning to offset the lost explosiveness with sheer physicality. The Volunteers' defense remains fundamentally sound and is projected to be significantly stronger this year, boasting a deeply experienced roster featuring 17 upperclassmen and five senior transfers. Ultimately, while talented freshmen inject youth into the defensive line, the true strength of the unit lies in its strategic depth, a veteran run-stopping linebacker corps, and a secondary fortified by battle-tested transfers from major programs who are well-prepared to anchor the team through the rigorous matchups ahead. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

59 min
2d ago

Big Orange Defense: A Deep Dive into Veteran Leadership

In this segment of Big Orange Sunday, Coach breaks down the Tennessee defense's roster depth and experience heading into the season. Highlighting the defensive line, linebackers, and secondary, the host emphasizes that the defense's true strength lies in its veteran linebacker corps, led by a deep bench of seniors and physical run-stoppers. While the defensive line features talented freshmen, the secondary is bolstered by several experienced transfers from major programs. The host notes that these defensive transfers bring high-level playing time comparable to the rigorous matchups Tennessee will face. Ultimately, the most important takeaway for listeners is that this defense will rely heavily on its robust veteran experience and strategic depth to anchor the team's success this year. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

7 min
2d ago

Navigating the Edge: How Tennessee's Defense Will Adapt Without Chas Coleman

In this segment,Coach addresses the news that Tennessee Edge rusher Chas Coleman is no longer with the program following a medical disqualification. He praises both the player and Head Coach Josh Heupel for handling the situation with professionalism. While Coleman's absence leaves a gap in speed, defensive coordinator Jim Knowles has prepared for this likelihood since spring. To adapt, the team will replace explosiveness with physicality, relying on a deep defensive line coached by Rodney Garner. Featuring 17 upperclassmen and five senior transfers, the defense is deeply experienced. The ultimate takeaway is that despite this setback, Tennessee’s defense is fundamentally sound and projected to be significantly stronger this season. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

14 min
2d ago

The Evolving Landscape of College Football Recruiting With Scott Altizer

COACH IS JOINED BY Scott Altizer, Director of Football Operations at Tennessee, to unpack the sweeping changes reshaping college football. Scott offers his perspective on the NCAA’s new July recruiting dead period, emphasizing how it provides crucial downtime for coaching staffs. The discussion navigates the ripple effects of the transfer portal, highlighting the trend of a balanced split between high school recruits and transfers, alongside the challenges unlimited official visits create for smaller FCS programs. The duo also touches on the implications of age limits, revenue sharing, and expanded playoff models. The ultimate takeaway for listeners is that rapid adaptation to these structural and recruiting shifts is vital for any program hoping to maintain a competitive edge. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

29 min
Jun 21

Father Figures and Football: Dissecting the Vols' Transfer Portal Strategy 06/21/26

Welcome to todays Fathers day edition of Big Orange Sunday, Coach shares heartfelt Father’s Day reflections, emphasizing the vital role coaches played as father figures during their upbringing. Transitioning to Tennessee Volunteers football, Matthews outlines the start of the six-week NCAA recruiting "dead period" and highlights the team's strong early commitments from high school prospects. He then provides a detailed analysis of head coach Josh Heupel’s transfer portal strategy, explaining that while the Vols lose developmental role players to the portal, they strategically upgrade the roster by bringing in battle-tested starters to complement their foundation of high school recruits. Key Moments: Father's Day Tributes: Coach discuss navigating childhood without their fathers' direct guidance and honor the local coaches who stepped up to fill that void. Recruiting Dead Period: Coach and Hyams notes the beginning of a mandatory six-week campus blackout for prospects, praising Tennessee's successful early recruitment of top in-state talent. Transfer Portal Analysis: A breakdown of how Tennessee leverages the transfer portal to replace exiting backups with experienced veterans, all while maintaining a core roster of over 60 traditional high school scholarship recruits. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

1 hr
Jun 21

Historic Home Schedule and High-Demand Tickets for Vols Football

Coach and Jimmy Hyams discuss what they consider the most impressive conference home football schedule in Tennessee's history, featuring major matchups against Texas, Alabama, Auburn, LSU, and Kentucky. They note that ticket prices reflect this unprecedented lineup, with secondary market admission for the Texas game starting over $400. The conversation also touches on Athletic Director Danny White's scheduling philosophy, confirming the upcoming Georgia Tech game will remain at Bobby Dodd Stadium rather than moving to a neutral site in Atlanta. Finally, they briefly highlight achievements in other programs, including former Tennessee golfers competing in the U.S. Open and key transfer acquisitions for the Vols baseball team. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

8 min
Jun 21

Knoxville Off-Season Buzz: Vols Football Expectations and Athletics Upgrades With Jimmy Hyams

Coach and Jimmy Hyams share personal reflections on Father's Day, emphasizing the vital role coaches often play as father figures for young athletes. The discussion then shifts to the Tennessee Volunteers' quiet but strategic off-season, highlighting the arrival of freshman recruits, the anticipated physical impact of the new strength and conditioning coach, and the football team's top-25 preseason rankings in publications like ESPN and Athlon. Finally, they cover positive updates across the broader athletic department, noting a massive budget increase for the men's basketball program and celebrating the men's track team's impressive third-place national finish. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

20 min
Jun 21

Tennessee Football: Father's Day Reflections and Heupel's Roster Strategy

In this Father's Day edition of Big Orange Sunday, Coach shares personal memories before diving into the operational state of Tennessee Volunteers football. As the six-week recruiting dead period begins, the discussion shifts to Head Coach Josh Heupel's calculated roster management under the 105-scholarship limit. The segment highlights how Heupel navigates the modern transfer portal like a business, balancing a foundation of high school recruits with experienced portal additions to maintain competitiveness. Furthermore, recent overhauls to the defensive and strength coaching staffs are noted as crucial steps for the program's continued growth. Key Moments Father's Day Tributes: The host honors his father and the high school coaches who served as father figures to young athletes. The Dead Period: A six-week blackout on recruiting visits begins, allowing coaches to rest while players focus on summer school and conditioning. Portal Strategy & Roster Math: A breakdown of how Tennessee manages its 105-man roster, relying on roughly 45 recent high school recruits and filling the remaining gaps with experienced transfer portal acquisitions. Staff Overhauls: A brief discussion on the recent and necessary changes to the defensive and strength and conditioning coaching staffs to improve team physicality and performance. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

23 min

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4.8

out of 5

30 Ratings

Best Vol pod out there

10/29/2023

KTLA2004

I love Coaches show! He provides a great perspective from a former player and coach. He is especially good after a loss to explain it and it always calms the fanatic in me. Thanks for the great content coach! Keep up the great work!
Vol in SC

07/11/2023

Wrigley Field Vol

So glad I finally found the show!

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.