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.See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.

<description>&lt;p data-path-to-node="2"&gt;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.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p data-path-to-node="3"&gt;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.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;See &lt;a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener"&gt;omnystudio.com/listener&lt;/a&gt; for privacy information.&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Big Orange Sunday 12-14-25

Welcome to another edition of Big Orange Sunday with former UT Defensive Coordinator Doug Mathews! Coach Mathews recaps the Vols signing day class and where he sees some of these new players fitting in! Coach also talks about the transfer portal and how things could shake out/ what the Vols need!See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.

<description>&lt;p&gt;Welcome to another edition of Big Orange Sunday with former UT Defensive Coordinator Doug Mathews! Coach Mathews recaps the Vols signing day class and where he sees some of these new players fitting in! Coach also talks about the transfer portal and how things could shake out/ what the Vols need!&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;See &lt;a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener"&gt;omnystudio.com/listener&lt;/a&gt; for privacy information.&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Big Orange Sunday 12-7-25

Welcome to another edition of Big Orange Sunday with former UT Defensive Coordinator Doug Mathews! Coach Mathews recaps everything from the Tennessee loss yesterday at home to Vanderbilt to finish the regular season 8-4, talks about the upcoming signing day, and evaluates the program from where he sees it at the current moment!See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.

<description>&lt;p&gt;Welcome to another edition of Big Orange Sunday with former UT Defensive Coordinator Doug Mathews! Coach Mathews recaps everything from the Tennessee loss yesterday at home to Vanderbilt to finish the regular season 8-4, talks about the upcoming signing day, and evaluates the program from where he sees it at the current moment!&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;See &lt;a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener"&gt;omnystudio.com/listener&lt;/a&gt; for privacy information.&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Big Orange Sunday 11-30-25

Welcome to another edition of Big Orange Sunday with Former UT Defensive Coordinator, Coach Doug Mathews! Coach recaps the Vols first win in the Swamp since 2003 and previews the upcoming game against Vanderbilt in Knoxville next Week! &nbsp; Follow Coach on Twitter: @DougMathews615See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.

<description>&lt;p&gt;Welcome to another edition of Big Orange Sunday with Former UT Defensive Coordinator, Coach Doug Mathews! Coach recaps the Vols first win in the Swamp since 2003 and previews the upcoming game against Vanderbilt in Knoxville next Week!&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Follow Coach on Twitter: @DougMathews615&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;See &lt;a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener"&gt;omnystudio.com/listener&lt;/a&gt; for privacy information.&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Big Orange Sunday 11-23-25

Welcome to another edition of Big Orange Sunday with Former UT Defensive Coordinator, Doug Mathews! Coach Mathews recaps the Vols win over New Mexico State yesterday and previews the upcoming game at Florida in the Swamp! &nbsp; Follow Coach on X: @DougMathews615See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.

<description>&lt;p&gt;Welcome to another edition of Big Orange Sunday with Former UT Defensive Coordinator, Doug Mathews! Coach Mathews recaps the Vols win over New Mexico State yesterday and previews the upcoming game at Florida in the Swamp!&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Follow Coach on X: @DougMathews615&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;See &lt;a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener"&gt;omnystudio.com/listener&lt;/a&gt; for privacy information.&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Big Orange Sunday 11-16-25

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

Details

Recent Episodes