“It’s humbling, it’s an honor, it’s really hard to really wrap your head around it and put it into words what it means to be the head coach here.”
Kim Caldwell is the new head coach of the Tennessee Lady Vols, and Only the fourth coach at the university during the NCAA era. Perhaps what makes this hire even more special, she has zero ties to the Lady Vols program. The announcement was made back in April, a decision that was met with mixed reactions from fans. Regardless of that, Cadwell is eager to get started, and has done well so far as a coach.
Caldwell has put up an impressive 217-31 record. She has led her teams to eight NCAA Tournament appearances, seven Conference Championships, and five Conference Tournament Championships. Caldwell was also named 2024 Coach of the year in the Sun Belt conference. Her squad also holds the title for regular and tournament Champions. As Caldwell prepares to enter the SEC, she says this history of the Lady Vol program is exciting to be a part of.
“You absolutely have to hit the ground running. You have a short time frame, the transfer portal closes, you need to hire a staff. First and foremost you need to re-recruit your own team.”
Several key players have graduated like All American, Rickea Jackson and conference standouts Tamari Key and Jasmine Powell. However, Tess Darby, Jewel Spear and Sara Puckett are set to return. Taylasia Cooper is also set to make her Lady Vol debut this season.
With key players returning, Caldwell acknowledged the importance of listening to the players and pinpointing everyone’s specific needs, making it easier for them to gel together.
“You set a standard and you don’t ever lower it and that’s how you build the culture and that’s how you work on the buy-in”
Not only was Caldwell effective in retaining the majority of last season’s team, she’s also secured four impressive transfers. Alyssa Latham from Syracuse, Lazaria Spearman from the University of Miami, Samara Spencer from the University of Arkansas and Ruby Whitehorn from Clemson.
But it’s not just about the players, Tennessee athletic culture is rich in history, and fandom. You want to be sure that they continue to support, especially after fan favorites have graduated, but more importantly with the naming of a new head coach. Caldwell says she is patient in gaining trust from the fans and the Knoxville community, and wants it to all happen organically.
“It’s gonna take time and it’s gonna take time with the players on your team and that’s gonna be a little bit easier because you see them every day but with the community, with the alumni, with just everyone involved it’s gonna just take some time for it to be a real authentic relationship”
It’s been proven, when you have a packed arena and fan support teams work harder to win, not only for themselves, but for the fans too. Caldwell says she’ll get started with her team in June, and they’ll continue to work through the season, citing a few team goals that they want to accomplish this upcoming season.
“We want to be the hardest working team on campus, in the country, and we want to be the team that plays the hardest in the country. We want to play fast, we hopefully can lead the country in scoring, or be up there, and just be a fun team to watch.”
Caldwell’s hope to accomplish these goals is by pushing her team in Summer practices, helping them build confidence in their abilities as players. This, she says, translates off the court as well. More than anything she says her favorite part about coaching is building her players up, and having them leave her program as better people.
She entered the SEC with a list of elite coaches like Dawn Staley, Kim Mulkey, Yolette McCuin and now with the return of Vic Schaefer. Caldwell says a handful of them have reached out to her, and she’s met a few in person on the recruiting trail.
“It just means a lot. There’s so many great coaches in this league that do so much for the game, and really progress women’s basketball. I have a lot to learn from them, and to send someone a text or call them because they’re new. I have a lot to learn from them.”
Caldwell says she’s ready to get started with this team and have the amazing fans rally behind them. She says the fandom here is unmatched, and that’s what can help make this program one of the top in the country.
“You’re really treated like a professional team here in Knoxville because you’re the show. I think that’s kind of a separator for us. It’s really special, and I’m grateful to be the coach here.”
Brandolyn Hellams is a journalist and producer in Atlanta, who covers sports and entertainment.
