Tennessee

Trisha Ford Praises Texas A&M Aggies for Grit Against No. 2 Tennessee

Published

7 months ago

May 2, 2025

Trisha Ford Praises Texas A&M Aggies for Grit Against No. 2 Tennessee

No. 4 Texas A&M headed down to Knoxville, Tennessee to finish out the regular season against No. 2 Tennessee. The Aggies persevered behind star pitcher Emiley Kennedy who threw her sixth shutout of the season and only allowed one hit from the Volunteers’ bats.

“I thought we did a tremendous job today,” coach Ford said following game one. “Emiley Kennedy probably threw her best game of the year. It was lights out.”

It’s hard to argue that this wasn’t the senior’s best game she’s thrown as she went seven innings, struck out ten batters, and only allowed one hit. After this dominating performance, Kennedy moves to 18-4 on the season, her most impressive record since her rookie season in 2022.

Aside from Kennedy, Ford talked about “getting the big hit when we needed it” which is something she has said all season long, appreciating her batters getting the big hit when it’s needed the most.

“Koko coming through in the seventh inning, that was huge for us,” Ford said.

Senior Koko Wooley was the hero in Thursday’s game and you wouldn’t be able to tell it off the box score. Wooley went 1-4 at the plate and picked up three strikeouts delivered from UT’s Karlyn Pickens, before gaining an RBI in the seventh after a two-out double put the Aggies on the board.

Oklahoma’s Rylie Boone (0) slides to second past the ball and Texas A&M’s Koko Wooley (3) in the second inning of a softball game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and Texas A&M in the NCAA Norman Regional at Marita Hynes Field in Norman, Okla., Saturday, May 21, 2022. Oklahoma won 3-2.Ncaa Norman Regional / BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK

Ford was also proud of her defense, especially junior Amari Harper, who had a great day at first base for the Aggies. When the Aggies were faced with tough pitching, they were able to make up for their performance in the batter’s box with their defense out on the field.

“We played great defense. Amari Harper was huge for us today,” Ford said postgame.

After a rough patch losing three SEC matchups in a row, coach Ford was pleased to get the train back on its tracks after taking game one against a tough Tennessee team.

“It was great to see us just play Aggie softball, win a big game,” Ford said.

The Aggies are set for a doubleheader on Friday, May 2nd, game one kicking off at 1 p.m. with game two shortly after at 4 p.m.

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Tennessee

Alex Golesh hires former Tennessee analyst as Auburn’s coordinator

Published

4 hours ago

December 12, 2025

Press Room

Alex Golesh hires former Tennessee analyst as Auburn’s coordinator

Alex Golesh was introduced as Auburn’s head coach on Dec. 1. He served as Tennessee’s offensive coordinator and tight ends coach from 2021-22.

Golesh announced the hiring of Jacob Bronowski as Auburn’s special teams coordinator. He served as the Vols’ special teams analyst in 2021 under head coach Josh Heupel. Bronowski was also under Heupel at UCF in 2020 as special teams quality control.

“His track record is outstanding,” Golesh said of Bronowski. “He developed multiple national award contenders, including a Lou Groza Award winner, and has led some of the top special teams units in the country.

“I saw up close when we worked together before that coach Bronowski understands that special teams can be a championship difference-maker, and he’s proven he can develop elite specialists. He brings exactly the attention to detail and relentless work ethic we need in our program.”

Auburn will play at Tennessee on Oct. 3, 2026.

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Tennessee

Tennessee football’s 2026 schedule complete with opponents, dates

Published

16 hours ago

December 11, 2025

Press Room

Tennessee football’s 2026 schedule complete with opponents, dates

Tennessee football will host Lane Kiffin, Alex Golesh and possibly Arch Manning at Neyland Stadium in the 2026 season.

UT’s opponents for the next four seasons were previously announced. On Dec. 11, the SEC released the dates of every conference game, providing the full picture of the 2026 schedule.

Game times and television designations will be announced later.

Texas will make its first trip ever to Tennessee on Sept. 26. Manning, the Longhorns quarterback, is expected to return for the 2026 season rather than enter the NFL draft. If so, he’ll face the Vols on the home turf of his uncle, legendary quarterback Peyton Manning.

Golesh, the former UT offensive coordinator, is Auburn’s new coach. He will return to Knoxville for an Oct. 3 game.

Alabama will play at Tennessee on Oct. 17, continuing their Third Saturday in October rivalry game.

Kiffin, the polarizing former UT coach, is now coaching LSU after bolting Ole Miss after the regular season ended. He will return to Knoxville for a Nov. 21 game. Three of the five SEC teams visiting Neyland Stadium will have a first-year coach, including Kentucky’s Will Stein on Nov. 7.

Tennessee will play Alabama, Kentucky and Vanderbilt as annual SEC opponents in the league’s new nine-game conference schedule. Its other six opponents will rotate each season. That means each school will play every SEC opponent home and away every four years.

Tennessee will have one open week on Oct. 31 and thus won’t play on Halloween.

Here is Tennessee’s week-to-week schedule for the 2026 season.

Tennessee football 2026 schedule

Sept. 5: Furman
Sept. 12: At Georgia Tech
Sept. 19: Kennesaw State
Sept. 26: Texas*
Oct. 3: Auburn*
Oct. 10: At Arkansas*
Oct. 17: Alabama*
Oct. 24: At South Carolina*
Oct. 31: Open
Nov. 7: Kentucky*
Nov. 14: At Texas A&M*
Nov. 21: LSU*
Nov. 28: At Vanderbilt*

*SEC game

Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email adam.sparks@knoxnews.com. X, formerly known as Twitter@AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.

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Tennessee

Dragos Cazacu signs with Tennessee

Published

1 day ago

December 11, 2025

Press Room

Tennessee announced the signing of graduate student Dragos Cazacu on Wednesday. He is from Constanta, Romania.

“Dragos is someone we believe can translate all of his professional experience and success seamlessly to high level college tennis,” Tennessee associate head coach Matt Lucas said. “He’s a very mature young man who has finished university in Romania, so we know the type of student athlete we are getting. Winning ITF Pro Circuit titles, all while doing his degree back home shows he will transition nicely to Tennessee in January.”

Cazacu competed on the ATP Tour prior to Tennessee. His highest ranking was No. 763 in singles and No. 495 in doubles.

Tennessee will begin its spring men’s tennis season versus ETSU on Jan. 9, 2026 at Goodfriend Tennis Center. SEC competition will begin Feb. 21, 2026 at Kentucky.

The Vols’ home opener in SEC play is scheduled for Feb. 27, 2026 versus Auburn at Goodfriend Tennis Center.

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