Everything Orange

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.