Matt Dixon’s cell phone rang as he was at his desk in The Daily Beacon office April 12.

“It’s UT,” he said recognizing the 974- number. “I’ll let it go to voicemail.”

The sports editor had just gotten back from class and was working on a practice report for the next day’s issue.

A moment later a recognizable number called — UT athletics media relations director.

Dixon immediately picked up this time, rushing to the nearest window because cell phone reception in the bomb shelter is limited.

Jimmy Stanton, officially the associate athletic director of communications, was touching base about Dixon’s request to follow football coach Derek Dooley around for a feature story.

“I think I’ve got a better idea,” the Tennessee rep said. “Hold on just a second.”

The phone signal rustled.

“Hey, Matt,” a familiar voice said. “This is Derek.”

With spring practice in full swing, Dooley said he just didn’t have time to spend a day with Dixon. However, the alternative was a pretty close second; he offered for Dixon to be a special guest head coach at Saturday’s Orange and White game.

“I was in such shock of who was calling me, that I didn’t even really realize he said I could be a guest coach at the final spring practice,” Dixon said. “He asked if I liked the idea. How could I not?”

Dixon, graduating senior, will head the Orange team, which features the first-team defense and second-team offense.

Todd Skelton, a graduate law student and president of the graduate student senate, will man the White team, the first-team offense and second-team defense, in the scrimmage 2:30 p.m. at Neyland Stadium on Saturday.

“Jimmy Stanton called this past weekend and pitched the opportunity and I was all over it,” Skelton said. “It sounds like a great experience and I’m looking forward to coach against Matt. It should be fun.”

Dixon, a member of the Beacon sports team since the summer of 2009, has covered football full-time since 2010. In that position, the Knoxville native has had to put any fan feelings for the Vols aside, trading in chips and cornhole at tailgates for pre-game salads and Cokes in the press box.

UT outfitted the two student guest coaches with Tennessee adidas gear: the shoes that are immediate indicators of athletes on campus, an orange polo and a matching hat.

“I can’t even remember the last time I wore orange,” Dixon said as he was trying the specs on.

Although the game marks the end of an important and serious spring practice period, the players have still found a way to make things fun. The winning team gets a steak dinner with nice china and servers, while the losing team has to eat hot dogs, potato chips and water with no ice — in the same room.

“It’s a high-stakes game,” Dooley said.

Skelton’s in it to win it.

“We’re just going to stick it to them,” he said. “Come out hard. We’ve got (quarterback Tyler) Bray so we’re going to be different than last year. We’re going to come out guns blazing and it’s going to be awesome.”

Admission to the scrimmage is free for all, and former Vols will play a flag football game at halftime.