One year ago today Jeremy Pruitt was fired as Tennessee’s head football coach.
364 days later, Josh Heupel was named the co-winner of the Football Writers Association of America’s Steve Spurrier First-Year Coach Award.
Heupel brought confidence around so much uncertainty.
#Vols
Zakai Zeigler, a Tennessee treasure.
Zeigler is here to support the
#LadyVols
and there’s a long line of Vol fans waiting to take a picture with the freshman standout.
#Vols
.
@Vol_Baseball
is shattering records in college baseball this season. They have elite talent but also are made up of players, and coaches, that work extremely hard.
Here's Vitello telling me how he approaches coaching his players. It explains why the
#Vols
are so good.
Even after a heartbreaking, season-ending loss,
@EvanRussell_4
is making a little kiddos day taking swings and running the bases at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. 🤍🧡
#Vols
Update: this adorable little boy is Nash, grandson of UT baseball’s athletic trainer, Jeff Wood.
Nash is 3 and him and Evan do this after every single home game. 🙏🏼🙏🏼
Even after a heartbreaking, season-ending loss,
@EvanRussell_4
is making a little kiddos day taking swings and running the bases at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. 🤍🧡
#Vols
Georgia head coach Joni Taylor on Tennessee:
Tennessee is playing the best basketball I’ve seen a Tennessee team play in awhile. Kellie has done a great job. They’re an elite program.
#LadyVols
Today, Evan Russell and Luc Lipcius broke VFL Todd Helton’s career home run record at Tennessee.
Russell and Lipcius hit their 39th career home run, and Helton congratulated them on Instagram.
#Vols
Scherzer on Rangers:
“This team is in first place for a reason. They’ve been playing great baseball. With Texas calling, I knew this was going to be the best place to continue my career and win.”
#StraightUpTX
My parents never missed a sportscast when I worked in our hometown in Knoxville. Since moving to Texas, they’ve also never missed a show on
@BallySportsSW
.
Today they were able to watch me live my dream in person and it meant the world to me. 🥹🫶🏼🤍SO thankful for their support!
"Tennessee fans came out and created a love-affair with this program that helped boost the program in ways you really can't put on paper."
Tony Vitello tells me why he chose to stay at Tennessee last summer and the impact this team and University has on him.
Friday on
@wbir
.
Down goes fourth ranked Kentucky!!
The
#Vols
win their 8th straight SEC game. The home crowd showed up big time tonight too.
The Wildcats shot 34% from the field - half of their percentage from last game - where they shot 67%.
.
@fulkerson_john
continues to be a man of the people.
After leading the
#Vols
to a huge win over 6th ranked Arizona last night, Fulkerson was up hosting a kid's basketball camp in his hometown today.
"I take pride in the kids. I love working with them and being with them."
Lane Kiffin signed mustard bottles at SEC Media Days this week.
Heupel's response is gold. "I didn't sign any mustard bottles or golf balls... maybe wish I would have had a golf ball that night. You know what I mean? I am only kidding." Lol
#Vols
Heupel on taking the job at Tennessee:
Other people saw obstacles, I saw opportunity. Anything you want to do, you can accomplish here because it’s been done here. Inside Neyland Stadium is the best atmosphere in college football.
#Vols
Today would have been Pat Summitt's 70th birthday. I am so thankful Coach Summitt put women's basketball on a national stage... a game I fell in love with at 5-years-old.
Our talented storyteller,
@elizabethsimsou
put together this great video honoring Coach Summitt's birthday.
John Fulkerson has been named the SEC's Co-Player of the Week, following a 24 point and 10 rebound game vs Arizona.
This is Fulkerson’s first career SEC weekly honor and the first SEC Player of the Week honor by a Tennessee player since Jordan Bowden in November, 2019.
#Vols
"The thing that really made me choose Tennessee was the coaching staff. It's home, so my friends and family can come watch. Without them I wouldn't be who I am today. I'm blessed to have them in my life."
@BJ_Edwards5
speaks on signing with
@Vol_Hoops
.
#Vols
@KnoxCatholic
Rick Barnes on how different college basketball is now with recruiting and the transfer portal:
People talk about taking the hand-shake line away and I’m like ‘hey, maybe not… that’s the best time to recruit. Look at a guy and say ‘hey, you’d look great in orange.” 🤣🤣
#Vols
NBA season is almost here & I’m thrilled to say I’m joining the league this season. 😉
Big news… we’re moving to Dallas! Beyond excited to join
@BallySportsSW
as a Host & Reporter covering the NBA, MLB, Texas high school football & so much more. A dream job! 🙏🏼
Ahead of the
#Vols
SEC opener vs. South Carolina tonight...
10 Sports Presents: Tony Vitello's Road to the T.
I sat down with Tony Vitello and visited his high school in Saint Louis with his dad, Greg, to learn the foundation that's led to Vitello's success at Tennessee.
Kellie Harper on Tamari Key breaking the all-time blocks record:
"Any time you are in the same sentence as Candace Parker, you're probably doing something right."
#LadyVols
Pretty cool seeing Max Scherzer take a lot of time signing baseballs for kids pregame.
Love seeing a 3X CY Young winner & 17-year vet still giving back to the game like this.
#StraightUpTX
@BallySportsSW
THE🐐LVFL and two-time WNBA champion, Candace Parker spoke to the
@LadyVol_Hoops
earlier today.
She told me her message to the team was Coach Pat Summitt's consistent message to her...
If you "chase people and chase passion" you won't fail.
#LadyVols
@Candace_Parker
After sweeping *then* No. 1 Ole Miss and starting SEC play 5-0, D1 Baseball and Baseball America both have
@Vol_Baseball
ranked as the No. 1 team in the nation this morning.
Much deserved. 👏🏼
.
@LadyVol_Hoops
is off to it’s best start since the ‘07-08 season..the last time Tennessee won a national championship.
The numbers between that team and this season’s team are very similar, but are these teams comparable? Let’s take a look. ⤵️
#LadyVols
If you're the leader of an offense, I have a feeling this is how you'd want your head coach to speak about you.
"Hendon Hooker earned the starting job. He has taken great strides this offseason. Hendon's a pure winner. He's a great leader inside our program"
#Vols
Just when you think you can’t like Zakai Zeigler any more…
He came out of the second-half with two consecutive threes.
Then, goes to the bench, spits up on Rick Barnes & throws up in the trash-can, says “I’m good”, comes back in… and hits another bucket. 🤣👏🏼
#Vols
Neyland Stadium is getting a home makeover ahead of the 2022 season.
One key improvement is the addition of the north-side videoboard.
The west sideline seating and club will feature field-level club accessible within those sections, including a bar and food area.
@wbir
Memphis had 2 players test positive for COVID-19 yesterday and then other unvaccinated players had to sit-out. Memphis only had four players available to play.
Earlier this season, head coach Penny Hardaway estimated 90% of his team was vaccinated.
Today, he said he "misspoke."
Personal note! (that’s what people say right?)
I’m getting married Saturday! (I also know what you’re thinking… who gets married during football season… well I’m marrying a baseball player.)
So I’ll be off here for a bit. I’ll be back on WBIR in December as Madison Hock. ☺️
Tennessee basketball is playing an instrasquad scrimmage now inside Bridgestone Arena.
Fans still here as well supporting the
#Vols
.
@JayBilas
and the ESPN crew broadcasting still as well.
Rick Barnes following the win:
I’m biased but it’s (TBA) is the best environment. Everyone wants to talk about the ‘blue bloods’ well the ‘orange bloods’ are right there too.
#Vols
I sat down with Evan Carter back in May when he was with
@RidersBaseball
and we all left the interview saying "he's going to be a big-leaguer soon." Now he's getting national attention, and rightfully so.
Best part? He's humble & kind & just living his dream.
#GoAndTakeIt
"Knowing that there is a greater purpose than just playing a baseball game... when you go out into the world, working to be like Jesus."
@josh6jung
is a frontrunner for Rookie of the Year & tells me he never takes the game too serious, he's built on something much greater. 💙
Some career news!
My time has come to an end at WBIR. 🧡 I’m incredibly thankful for the last few years working for my hometown station.
The people at Ch. 10 went from strangers I admired watching on TV to my forever family and I’m so grateful for their impact on my life.
Tennessee pitcher Chase Burns was named the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Freshman Pitcher of the Year.
Burns finished the year with an 8-2 record, and a 2.91 ERA, and in 17 appearances, he struck out 103 batters.
#Vols
FILM STUDY: Tennessee out-worked No. 4 Kentucky on almost every level Tuesday night.
Following the win, head coach Rick Barnes said the team did a much better job 'not giving up separation on Kentucky's actions.'
I breakdown the defensive film here... Let's Take A Look.
No surprise but Jordan Beck had high praise for Vitello postgame.
"We're coming in and we're the No. 1 team. We're big targets. That (Coach Vitello) is one of the most fiery guys I've ever met. He's one of the best coaches I've ever been with. I'm glad he's my coach."
#Vols
Tennessee athletics director Danny White is passionate about working with Tony Vitello to upgrade Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
“Tony loves the passion of our fans and the impact they have on the game. We don’t have to be the biggest stadium but let’s be the best.”
#Vols
Just two months after the
#Vols
season ended, Ben Joyce is back in East Tennessee facing the Smokies this week with his AA team,
@trashpandas
.
@benjoyce08
told me he took a deep breath when he saw Knoxville signs again and is excited to be back around Vol Nation this week.
Before I left for Wichita, I caught up with former Tennessee head coach, Holly Warlick on what it takes to be successful in the Sweet 16. Warlick took three teams to the Elite 8.
"I can remember going into Kellie Jolly's home and recruiting her. She's done a tremendous job."
Josiah-Jordan James had a career-high day in front of 33 family members and friends.
James is from Charleston, just less than 2 hours from Columbia.
“God is good.”
#Vols
Tennessee fans are out and about. 🤣
Norbert Searfoss has been outside Lindsey Nelson Stadium since 2am ahead of the
#Vols
super regional against Notre Dame.
I don’t even have the words!!!
Belmont wins in double overtime and they will face Tennessee on Monday now!!
My hometown team that I now cover vs. the team I played college ball for. 😭😭🤍🤍
Rick Barnes on texting
@DickieV
prayers every day during his cancer battle:
“I think God is using Dick in a great way. I said to him the other day ‘sending you prayers has been good for me’ because it’s given me even more of a chance to spend time with the Lord.” 🙏🏼
Wow. A huge get for Tennessee.
Rickea Jackson led the SEC in scoring this season while at Mississippi Sate with 20ppg. She led the Bulldogs in scoring for three seasons.
Tennessee freshman, Kennedy Chandler just announced on ESPN’s NBA Today that he is declaring for the 2022 NBA Draft.
#Vols
He said the decision was tough. He talked with his family and coach Rick Barnes about it, and decided it was the best decision for him.
My 2024 Playoffs: Twins Edition
Welcome to the world Scottie Joy & Collins Claire. Soaking up every moment of becoming parents with the best man I know
@Hockeye
💕
Jordan Horston described her relationship with Kellie Harper today. It's special.
"It's a blessing and I thank God every day for it. When you have someone that cares about you as a person, as a human-being... it makes you want to do anything and everything for them."
#LadyVols
Tony Vitello and his dad, Greg, share a unique bond. It's led to his success at Tennessee.
Greg Vitello is a hall-of-fame, retired head coach and Tony grew up learning the game of baseball from his dad.
"Even in little-league baseball, there are standards."
Can you tell these two have fun together?? 🤣
“Catch98” premieres Thursday night on the SEC Network. A documentary following the 1997-98 national championship Lady Vol team.
Tennessee was back on the practice field today for the start of preseason camp.
The
#Vols
first game is just one month from today. We will hear from head coach Josh Heupel at approx. 11:20am.
Big takeaways from the NCAA's 18 violations against Jeremy Pruitt:
-The NCAA is making a habit of punishing the people responsible (Pruitt and staff) not the institution or innocent players.. this likely won't affect the current program at all
-Violations directed at recruiting
LVFL Candace Parker led the Chicago Sky to the franchise’s first WNBA championship, and now has been named The Associated Press’ Female Athlete of the Year.
This is Parker’s second time earning the honor.
#LadyVols
Theo Jackson says he grew up a Titans fan and always enjoyed going to games.
The Nashville native returns home to play for his hometown team. 😃
#Titans
Kellie Harper tells us Keyen Green is out for the year with a torn ACL.
This is a big loss for Tennessee not only because Green averages 7 ppg and 3 rebounds - but mainly because she’s a spark off the bench in the paint and gives Tamari Key rest when needed.
#LadyVols
Not sure if y’all have heard, but the Rangers are really good !! & a six game homestand begins tonight ⚾️
Plus a new episode of Rangers Insider is coming your way soon!
#StraightUpTX
And the
#LadyVols
are off to Intrust Bank Arena to face No. 1 seed Louisville.
The team got a warm welcome from Lady Vol Nation as they boarded the bus.
Love this from Bruce Bochy when asked about his coaching philosophy:
“It’s all about creating an environment where they can be the best versions of themselves. Winning is important but I want to bring out the best in them. I want to treat them the way I would want to be treated”