Breaking Down the 'Dores: Vandy podcast: Recent Episodes
USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee
The Tennessean's Adam Sparks, Vanderbilt Commodores beat reporter, and former Vanderbilt beat writer, Mike Organ, give you the latest news on all things Vandy sports. The Tennessean, Nashville Tennessee
Vanderbilt granted The Tennessean exclusive access to Chancellor Daniel Diermeier and athletics director Candice Lee on a Zoom call to talk about the football coach search and other plans for athletics.
After the firing of Derek Mason, the Commodores are trying to find a coach who can pump excitement into the program, be competitive in the SEC, bring an exciting style to West End and fit the culture of the most unique university in the conference.
On this week's episode of "Breaking Down the 'Dores," Vanderbilt beat reporter Adam Sparks and former beat reporter Mike Organ discuss the attendance policy and point out some misconceptions about it.
Second-year coach Jerry Stackhouse is preparing Vanderbilt for the upcoming season with some promising sophomores, returning role players and a few transfers.
As Vanderbilt football fans' apathy and losses mount during a difficult season, has Derek Mason's tenure passed the point of no return?
Should the COVID-19 pandemic impact how those challenges are handled? And should Lee feel any heat from the hiring of deputy athletics directors Kristene Kelly and Tommy McClelland, who was a rising star as Louisiana Tech's AD? Or could their hires be a sign of progress?
Host Mike Organ and Vanderbilt beat reporter Adam Sparks discuss those topics and more on this week's podcast.
Vanderbilt's football season, Derek Mason's future and struggles this season are viewed through the lens of COVID-19's impact. This week's podcast focuses on the impact.
Vanderbilt students were admitted to the first home football game, but not other fans or even players' families. Should Vanderbilt adjust that approach?
Adam Sparks and Mike Organ break down Vanderbilt's first game against Texas A&M, and wonder if it's possible to build on that when they face the defending champs in LSU this week.
The Commodores head into Saturday's opener at No. 11 Texas A&M without at least 15 players, including six COVID-19 opt-outs, five transfers since spring practice, three injuries and one quarantine. And that's only what we know.
Woody Widenhofer, who died Sunday, was a defensive guru who never quite got the winning season he pursued as Vanderbilt football coach. But he left quite a legacy and some looming questions about what kind of coach and philosophy best fits the Commodores.
The SEC played two games in its men's conference basketball tournament, but on Thursday morning, before any more games could be played, the league called it quits.
How will Vanderbilt basketball improve next season under Jerry Stackhouse? And will it be with Aaron Nesmith or Clevon Brown on the roster?
Vanderbilt released its Athletics Strategic Plan recently, but what exactly is it? We dive into all the flowery verbs, general language and obvious goals.
Vanderbilt started spring football practice this week with lots of new faces. Freshman Ken Seals is getting the most reps at quarterback by default as new coordinator Todd Fitch installs his offense. Defense has all its contributors back from last season but also has a new coordinator in Ted Roof.
Vanderbilt hasn't announced a search for a new athletics director, but it hasn't taken the interim tag off Candice Storey Lee, either. Where should Vanderbilt turn for its next AD?
Special guest Max Herz stops by to talk Vanderbilt baseball. Herz has served as an SEC Network sideline reporter for Commodores baseball games, and he's currently filling the role of play-by-play announcer for the Vanderbilt Radio Network.
Malcolm Turner stepped down on Tuesday after one year on the job at Vanderbilt, and deputy athletics director Candice Storey Lee was named interim athletics director.
Vanderbilt basketball coach Jerry Stackhouse took time Tuesday to talk about his interactions with Kobe Bryant, who died in a helicopter crash Sunday.
Vanderbilt fans are frustrated with Jerry Stackhouse over the historic 3-point streak ending, and they're losing confidence in Derek Mason over the mass exodus of quarterbacks.
New Vanderbilt defensive coordinator Ted Roof was hired from Appalachian State, where his defense ranked in the top 30 nationally.
New Vanderbilt offensive coordinator Todd Fitch was hired from Louisiana Tech, which scored more than 40 points in six of its 10 victories last season.
We pick the first 22 games on the college football bowl schedule, including the College Football Playoff matchups between LSU vs. Oklahoma in the Peach Bowl and Ohio State vs. Clemson in the Fiesta Bowl.
If you're not moving forward, you're moving back. At least that's the thinking. So which of Vanderbilt's four major sports programs are moving forward? Plus, where does the football team stand with signing day just a week away?
Tennessean sports director Tommy Deas, Vanderbilt beat writer Adam Sparks and columnist Gentry Estes are picking every SEC game against the line this season.
Last week, Deas went 6-4 and is now 70-47-2. Sparks went 5-5 and is now 64-53-2. Estes, who joined the picks panel after the season began, went 7-3 and is 46-34. Sparks is 9-4 on his Pick of the Week selections, while Deas is 9-4 and Estes is 3-7.
Here are the conference championship game picks, with each selecting a top play of the weekend, using BetMGM odds for each game:
Emailed inquiries and social media posts directed at The Tennessean staff about all three story lines were saturated with stances on politics and race — even though most seemed out of place.
Is there too much politics in sports? Or do some fans inject politics into sports where it's not needed? Vanderbilt beat reporter Adam Sparks and columnist Gentry Estes discuss on this week's episode of "Breaking Down the 'Dores" podcast.
Vanderbilt has won three in a row over its in-state rival, but this season hasn't gone the way Vanderbilt had hoped. Is a win over Tennessee even remotely possible?
This week's schedule: Ole Miss at Mississippi State, Missouri at Arkansas, Clemson at South Carolina, Georgia at Georgia Tech, Louisville at Kentucky, Alabama at Auburn, Vanderbilt at Tennessee, Texas A&M at LSU, Florida State at Florida.
This week's schedule: Western Carolina at Alabama, Samford at Auburn, Texas A&M at Georgia, UT Martin at Kentucky, ETSU at Vanderbilt, Arkansas at LSU, Abilene Christian at Mississippi State, Tennessee at Missouri
Derek Mason's tenure at Vanderbilt isn't over. Or is it? Just because he's be assured of another season on the sideline doesn't mean fans haven't tuned the program out. Can the Commodores be saved?
This week's schedule: Alabama at Mississippi State, Florida at Missouri, Georgia at Auburn, Kentucky at Vanderbilt, LSU at Ole Miss, South Carolina at Texas AM
Vanderbilt gets a quarterback back this week to face Kentucky, but will it be enough to save Derek Mason's job? Is his future already determined? And why doesn't Jerry Stackhouse want a "Big Three" on his basketball team.
This week's schedule: Vanderbilt at Florida, Western Kentucky at Arkansas, LSU at Alabama, New Mexico State at Ole Miss, Missouri at Georgia, Appalachian State at South Carolina, Tennessee at Kentucky v
The Vanderbilt football team got some bad news on the injury front this week. Two quarterbacks won't be available against Florida because of concussions. The good news? Basketball season under new coach Jerry Stackhouse is starting.
Gentry Estes and Tommy Deas discuss Derek Mason's status and how he kept the football team together, as well as what Jerry Stackhouse needs to do turn the basketball program around in the latest edition of the Breaking Down the 'Dores podcast.
This week's schedule: Georgia (8) at Florida (6), Mississippi State at Arkansas, Mississippi at Auburn, Vanderbilt at South Carolina, UTSA at Texas A&M and UAB at Tennessee.
This week's schedule: Mississippi State at Texas A&M, Auburn at LSU, South Carolina at Tennessee, Arkansas at Alabama, Missouri at Kentucky
Derek Mason was quite animated after the upset of Missouri, but what was he really trying to say? And can Vanderbilt build an offense around Mo Hasan?
Vanderbilt's football season is in a dire situation, and the same might be said for Derek Mason's long-term future as coach.
Heading into Saturday's homecoming game against Missouri, the Commodores are 1-5, their worst record since Mason's 2014 debut season. Can he and the Commodores turn the tide of the season?
Mason has opened up a quarterback competition, but he won't change play-callers on his coaching staff. Meanwhile, he made a plea to fans to support the players at Saturday's game.
Sports director Tommy Deas and Vanderbilt beat reporter Adam Sparks discuss on this week's edition of Breaking Down the 'Dores.
Tennessean sports director Tommy Deas, Vanderbilt beat writer Adam Sparks and columnist Gentry Estes are picking every SEC game against the line this season.
Last week, Deas went 3-5 and is now 37-31-2. Sparks went 1-7 and is now 31-37-2. Estes, who joined the picks panel after the season began, went 3-5 and is 14-17. Sparks is 5-2 on his Pick of the Week selections, while Deas is 5-2 and Estes is 1-3.
This week's schedule: South Carolina at Georgia, Mississippi State at Tennessee, Alabama at Texas A&M, UNLV at Vanderbilt, Ole Miss at Missouri, Arkansas at Kentucky, Florida at LSU
Vanderbilt seems to have reopened the quarterback competition heading into its game against UNLV. Coach Derek Mason on Tuesday said Deuce Wallace, who has been backing up Riley Neal this season, "is coming."
Vanderbilt is 1-3 after its win over Northern Illinois and heading to Ole Miss this week. But before that, a quick check of the Commodores brings up three questions. Beat writer Adam Sparks answers them.
This week's schedule: Utah State at LSU, Auburn at Florida, Troy at Missouri, Georgia at Tennessee, Vanderbilt at Ole Miss
This week's schedule: Texas A&M at Arkansas, Northern Illinois at Vanderbilt, Ole Miss at Alabama, Towson at Florida, Mississippi State at Auburn, Kentucky at South Carolina.
Vanderbilt is 0-3 but has played some pretty hefty opponents. Are the Commodores the problem or is it the tough competition?
Vanderbilt hasn't done itself many favors this season so far. Penalties are killing the 0-2 Commodores. If they want to beat LSU, they'll have to stop beating themselves first.
Vanderbilt beat writer Adam Sparks, columnist Gentry Estes and sports director Tommy Deas pick each SEC game against the line.
Vanderbilt beat writer Adam Sparks and sports director Tommy Deas pick each SEC game against the line.
Week 1 is in the books for Vanderbilt, and it's probably a week the Commodores would rather forget. We look back at that game plus preview what's in store against Purdue.
Vanderbilt beat writer Adam Sparks and sports director Tommy Deas pick each SEC game against the line.
Vanderbilt beat writer Adam Sparks and sports director Tommy Deas pick each SEC game against the line.
The No. 3 Georgia Bulldogs roll into town this weekend promising a tough opener for the Commodores. Can Vanderbilt win? And who will be the Commodores' quarterback?
What's in store for the space formerly occupied by an iconic coaches mural near campus? What can fans expect from beer sales? How is the quarterback battle shaping up?
With a new offensive coordinator and a defensive coordinator entering his second season, Vanderbilt is sure to change things up. But how much? Beat writer Adam Sparks weighs in on what differences you could see this season.
It's officially football season for Vanderbilt. The Commodores were set to begin preseason practice Friday, and the top story line is the quarterback battle between Deuce Wallace and Riley Neal.
Vanderbilt coach Derek Mason faced the SEC media firing squad on Thursday. Then he sat down for an exclusive interview with Joe Rexrode and Adam Sparks. Hear what he has to say about the offensive line depth, quarterback battle and more.
SEC Media Days start Monday. What should we expect to hear from Derek Mason? And is there anything to be made of him bringing three offensive players along? Plus, we look ahead to next year's baseball team now that many of the national champions are playing professionally.
The Vanderbilt baseball team won the national championship for the second time in six years. We take a look back at the championship series as well as the season as a whole.
Was Kumar Rocker's no-hitter in Vanderbilt's Super Regional the best of all time, or is that a big dose of hyperbole? Plus, the Commodores head to the College World Series.
Vanderbilt beat reporter Adam Sparks and columnist Joe Rexrode discuss, debate and break down the biggest topics for the Commodores' trip to Omaha.
Vanderbilt baseball is headed to the Super Regional, but you might not know it if you listen to talk radio. College baseball doesn't seem to bring the listeners, apparently. But why not?
Fresh off a remarkable comeback to win the SEC Baseball Tournament, Vanderbilt coach Tim Corbin took time to talk to Commodores beat writer Adam Sparks about the victory and what's special about this year's team. Plus, we look ahead to this week's NCAA Baseball Regional in Nashville and at what a potential Super Regional would look like.
Yahoo Sports' Pete Thamel talked to former Vanderbilt basketball coach Bryce Drew in Drew's first post-firing interview. But some things mentioned in the piece aren't sitting well with Vanderbilt beat writer Adam Sparks and columnist Joe Rexrode.
Jerry Stackhouse was introduced Monday as Vanderbilt's new men's basketball coach. He didn't have great one-liners. He didn't seem overly rehearsed. But he seems to have a vision that a hurting hoops program needs.
Vanderbilt fired head basketball coach Bryce Drew after three seasons at the helm.
Adan Sparks and Tommy Deas discuss the move by new athletic director Malcom Turner, who some of the candidates are and what it means for Vandy sports moving forward.
Gerry Gdowski is Vanderbilt's new offensive coordinator. He sat down for an exclusive interview with The Tennessean's Adam Sparks to talk about his influences, his career path and what he expects to see in the Commodores' quarterback competition.
Vanderbilt baseball coach Tim Corbin sat down for an exclusive interview with Adam Sparks. Hear what he had to say about his early years in coaching, how the sport has changed and how he plans to handle this year's team that's loaded with talent.
Malcolm Turner officially started at Vanderbilt this week, and beat writer Adam Sparks had exclusive access to his first day. Hear his take on the new guy and what it could mean for a new stadium. Also, we recap the second signing day and find some good things to talk about regarding basketball.
The Vanderbilt men's basketball team is struggling through the season. Do they have good reasons? Or are they just excuses? The Tennessean's Joe Rexrode and Adam Sparks debate that and preview this weekend's Vanderbilt-Tennessee women's game.
No. 1 Tennessee beat Vanderbilt. That much everyone can agree on. After that, well, the calls and controversies get a little dicey.
Vanderbilt's Ke'Shawn Vaughn, Jared Pinkney and Kalija Lipscomb have passed on the NFL draft. What does that mean for the football team and a new yet-to-be named offensive coordinator? And on the hardwood, is Bryce Drew getting tired of talking about Darius Garland? The answer might surprise you.
Was the Vanderbilt football season a success? And What's going on with the Vanderbilt basketball programs?
How will Vanderbilt handle the Baylor offense? It's not like an SEC offense, but it might feel familiar. And just what is the best way to game plan for a bowl game? Is there such a thing as too much scheming?
Columnist Joe Rexrode and beat reporter Adam Sparks break down NBA G League president Malcolm Turner's hire as Vanderbilt athletics director, Turner's introductory... teleconference?
By the way, why wasn't there a press conference?
The Vanderbilt basketball team still is trying to find its footing after the season-ending injury to Darius Garland. How does that change Simi Shittu's and Matthew Moyer's approaches? Plus, is there a place for an all-Nashville hoops tournament with Lipscomb, Belmont and others?
Is Derek Mason leaving? Is a new athletics director about to be hired? Is Darius Garland's Commodores career officially over? Vanderbilt beat Tennessee for the third time in a row and it's not even the top story of this jam-packed edition.
Vanderbilt has won four of the past six games in the series against Tennessee. But none of those wins came against a Jeremy Pruitt-coached team. So just how much have the Commodores closed the gap with the Vols?
Life is good if you're a Vanderbilt basketball fan. But the football team must go 2-0 to close out the season for a bowl game.
Vanderbilt's men's and women's basketball teams made a splash for two totally different reasons. And the football team has a giant challenge this week.
What's gone wrong for Vanderbilt on fourth down? Are the Commodores better than we give them credit for? And what's on the line in Saturday's game at Arkansas?
Columnist Joe Rexrode and Vanderbilt beat reporter Adam Sparks discuss those topics and more in the latest edition of Breaking Down the 'Dores podcast.
Is Vanderbilt close or is close as good as it can get? And should coach Derek Mason be worried about his job after another one slipped through his grasp? Plus a look at Kentucky.
Columnist Joe Rexrode and beat writer Adam Sparks dive into some numbers behind a Tennessean survey about Vanderbilt's stadium and preview the Florida game.
Vanderbilt beat writer Adam Sparks and Joe Rexrode discuss the head injury to TSU's Christion Abercrombie and preview the Georgia game.
Beat writer Adam Sparks and columnist Joe Rexrode look at what's in store for Vanderbilt this week against Tennessee State and beyond in the latest edition of Breaking Down the 'Dores.
Vanderbilt came close to stunning Notre Dame, but is there any value in the moral victory that provides? Plus, what should the Commodores expect against South Carolina, which has played Coastal Carolina and Georgia but also had its last game canceled because of Hurricane Florence.
On this inaugural episode of Breaking Down the 'Dores, columnist Joe Rexrode and beat writer Adam Sparks discuss Williams' legacy, how the Commodores can handle the mystique of Notre Dame and more.