Everything Orange

With baseball season in full swing, Sarah Detwiler sits down with Tennessee baseball’s Landon Mack on this week’s Everything Orange podcast. In his first year on Rocky Top, the sophomore pitcher has already started nine games and has notched a team-high 64 strikeouts. The two look at Mack’s go-to hype song, favorite athletes, and the stadium he one day dreams of pitching in. 

From there, they look at Tennessee’s 24-12 start and life in SEC play, reflecting on the adversity the team has faced and the resilience they’ve built. From tough losses to a statement sweep over a top-10 team on the road, he breaks down what’s clicking, the confidence this group is gaining, and the mindset heading into the second half of the season.

Detwiler and Mack also dive into the pitching staff, highlighting a competitive group that always pushes each other. He discusses working alongside Cam Appenzeller, navigating role changes with roommate Tegan Kuhns, and learning from veteran Evan Blanco. Mack also shares his own approach on the mound and the trust he’s built with both his teammates and coaches.

Beyond baseball, the sophomore reflects on his journey from New Jersey to Tennessee, his decision to focus on pitching, and why Knoxville became his dream destination. He also opens up about living with Type 1 diabetes, the discipline it’s instilled in him, and the impact of representing others facing similar challenges. Loving his time on Rock Top, Mack closes with what it means to wear the Power T and compete in the SEC.

This week on Everything Orange, Sarah Detwiler sits down with Tennessee Head Diving Coach Jane Figueiredo as she reflects on her first year leading the Vols diving program. Jane shares what it was like stepping onto Rocky Top after coaching at the highest levels internationally and collegiately, including guiding athletes to Olympic medals and world championships.

She looks back on year one — featuring four NCAA top-8 finishes and three SEC top-3 podiums — and talks about what stood out to her about the team, the culture, and the potential at Tennessee. Jane also discusses adding Assistant Coach Mike Wright to the staff and how they’ve worked together to build consistency, confidence, and a winning mindset among the divers.

From her journey coaching elite athletes like Tom Daley to what drew her to diving and ultimately to coaching, Jane gives fans a behind-the-scenes look at the passion, precision, and philosophy that define her approach. She closes by sharing what excites her most about the future of Tennessee diving and the legacy she hopes to build with her athletes.

With spring practice underway on Rocky Top, Sarah Detwiler sits down with Tennessee football’s Jourdan Thomas on this week’s Everything Orange podcast.

Thomas, a 2026 Torchbearer Award recipient, reflects on the emotional moment when the surprise announcement unfolded in front of his teammates. From hearing his name called to experiencing a full-circle moment, he shares what the honor means to him and the perspective he’s gained along the way.

They then look back on his journey over the past two years, entering the 2024 season as a defensive leader before a devastating injury ended his playing career. Thomas walks through that moment, the challenges of recovery, and how he embraced a new role as a student assistant coach, continuing to lead and impact the team from the sidelines while staying connected to his teammates.

Beyond football, Thomas discusses the impact he’s made across campus through leadership, academics, and service. From his involvement in student-athlete organizations to giving back through the 1Tenn ministry, he explains how those experiences have shaped his growth and broadened his perspective beyond the game.

Looking ahead, Thomas shares his excitement for graduation this spring and what’s next, along with a message for anyone facing adversity. He reflects on the legacy he hopes to leave and the purpose he’s found, a story that extends far beyond football.

This week on Everything Orange, Sarah Detwiler sits down with senior tennis standout Leyla Britez Risso for a look into her journey through Rocky Top. Leyla reflects on stepping into her senior season and how fast her time at Tennessee has gone, from looking up to upperclassmen to now leading the team alongside her longtime doubles partner, Cat.

She dives into this year’s squad, what makes the group special, and what it is like competing in the stacked SEC as the Lady Vols push through a tough stretch of the season. Leyla also opens up about her personal success, an undefeated start and top 20 national ranking, and what has been clicking for her on the court.

From her growth over the past four years to the impact of Coach Ojeda and the program’s culture, Leyla reflects on what it means to wear the Tennessee jersey. From Paraguay to Knoxville, her story is all about leadership, consistency, and leaving her mark.

With spring football now only days away, Sarah Detwiler sits down with redshirt sophomore tight end and rising Tennessee Football star Ethan Davis. 

The Atlanta native enters his fourth season on Rocky Top in 2026, coming off a stellar close to the 2025 campaign. Despite fighting through injury, Davis made four starts last season and showcased his unique skillset when he logged five catches for 72 yards and a touchdown in a road win at Florida.

Davis breaks down the film from his top performances last season, setting the stage for his 2026 ambitions and a closer look at the tight end room as a whole. He also discusses the addition of new strength coach Derek Owings and how that has impacted the Vols’ offseason work to this point. 

Beyond the football field, Davis discusses his family, his days growing up in Georgia and how his early experiences as a basketball player (AAU teammates with Tennessee Basketball’s Cade Phillips!) led to his current path in football. An excellent primer for both spring football and March Madness — Ethan Davis has it all covered!

This week on Everything Orange, Sarah Detwiler is joined by freshman standout Ismaila Sawaneh as the Vols track and field program kicks off 2026. Ismaila shares what it felt like to compete in his first collegiate meets, including a winning debut at the Bob Pollock Invitational, and how joining such a stacked pole vault group has pushed him to new heights.

He looks back on his journey from growing up in Normandy, France, to competing at the European U23 level, and shares how those experiences shaped his mindset heading into his first year at Tennessee. Ismaila also talks about his transition to life in Knoxville, the support from Coach Kyle Ellis, and the excitement of contributing to a historic Vols pole vault group.

From his international background to what it means to wear the orange and white, Ismaila gives fans insight into the team’s competitive mindset and what to expect from a Vols squad aiming for excellence in 2026.

This week on Everything Orange, Sarah Detwiler is joined by sophomore diving standout Bennett Greene following a thrilling SEC Championships in Knoxville. Bennett relives his clutch 1-meter performance, where a near-perfect final dive secured a 400.8 score and a gold medal by just one tenth of a point in front of a roaring home crowd.

He also reflects on the team’s overall success, with the Tennessee men finishing third and the women second, and what it meant to podium in all three of his events, adding silver on 3-meter and bronze on platform. Bennett shares how his U.S. Winter Nationals title earlier this season helped build the confidence that carried him through SECs.

From growing up in Knoxville to now winning championships in the same pool he trained in as a kid, Bennett talks about the impact of his coaches, the growth he’s made in his sophomore season, and his mindset as he prepares for NCAA Championships.

This week on Everything Orange, Sarah Detwiler is joined by sophomore standout Emma Clarke as the Lady Vols open the 2026 season. Emma shares what it felt like to be back in competition and the tone this team set to start the year. Fresh off a 5-0 weekend in Clearwater, including a statement top-five win over Oregon, Emma breaks down the team’s fast start and the confidence fueling this group early on.

She looks back on her freshman season, from embracing multiple roles on the field to helping Tennessee make a semifinal run at the 2025 Women’s College World Series, and shares how those experiences shaped her mindset heading into year two. Emma also talks about her offseason focus, the expectations set by her coaches, and the growth she’s seen in herself since arriving on Rocky Top.

From her multi-sport background to what it means to wear the orange, white, and Summit Blue, Emma gives fans insight into this year’s team mindset and what to expect from a Lady Vol squad hungry for more.

This week, Sarah Detwiler sits down with Vol Baseball’s Reese Chapman, with the outfielder returning to Rocky Top for his senior season. Reese reflects on growing up a baseball kid in Parker, Colorado, coming from a sports-driven and loving family, and what shaped him into the player and leader he is today. 

He opens up about the decision to come back to Tennessee, being the program’s lone four-year Vol and leading a team fighting for another postseason run. Reese also dives into his breakout junior season, his mindset shift, and the excitement surrounding a new staff and new season. 

Sarah and Reese also look into what lies ahead in his final season, the preparation for Year One of the Elander era, and what wearing the Power T means to him.

This week, Sarah Detwiler sits down with Gui Caribe, a true force in the pool and one of the most accomplished swimmers in Tennessee history. With two national championships, 17 SEC medals, and 19 All-America honors, Gui reflects on how far he’s come and what it’s like to see all of his achievements.

Gui shares his journey from growing up in Brazil, both in Salvador and São Paulo, to eventually making the leap across the world to Rocky Top. He talks about adjusting to life in the U.S., finding his place on the team, and the moments that helped him know Tennessee was his next home.

Sarah and Gui also dive into his record-breaking junior season, the influence of Coach Matt Kredich and VFL Jordan Crooks, qualifying for the Paris Olympics, and what motivates him heading into his final postseason as a Volunteer.