First-year Tennessee Lady Vols head coach Kim Caldwell has landed on the 15-coach watch list for the prestigious Werner Ladder Naismith Women’s College Coach of the Year Award. Caldwell, who has revitalized the Lady Vols in her inaugural season, is among six SEC coaches honored, including notable names like South Carolina’s Dawn Staley, LSU’s Kim Mulkey, and Kentucky’s Kenny Brooks, another first-year head coach.
Under Caldwell’s leadership, Tennessee has posted a 19-6 overall record (6-6 SEC) and earned several marquee victories, including an 80-76 triumph over UConn earlier this month. The victory ended a four-game losing streak to the Huskies and showcased the Lady Vols’ growth under Caldwell. Additionally, Tennessee defeated Iowa, another Final Four team from last season, cementing their status as a formidable competitor this year.
While the Lady Vols have struggled in close SEC games—losing by five or fewer points to ranked teams like No. 9 Oklahoma, No. 6 LSU, and No. 4 Texas—Caldwell’s team has displayed resilience and poise in high-pressure matchups. With four regular-season games remaining, including a home contest against No. 18 Alabama on Thursday and a road game at No. 14 Kentucky, the Lady Vols still have opportunities to strengthen their postseason résumé.
One of the highlights of Caldwell’s tenure has been the balanced scoring output of her team. Five players average double figures, led by Talayshia Cooper’s 17 points per game. Key contributors Jewel Spear, Ruby Whitehorn, Zee Spearman, and Samara Spencer have also played significant roles in the Lady Vols’ success.
Caldwell’s determination and dedication to her team were on full display when she returned to the sidelines just one week after giving birth to her first child last month. She missed only one game—the Lady Vols’ loss at Texas—before resuming her coaching duties.
Caldwell’s leadership, both on and off the court, has transformed the Lady Vols into a competitive and cohesive unit. As the season progresses, the program’s future looks bright under her guidance. Whether or not Caldwell takes home the Naismith award, her remarkable first-year performance has already solidified her place among the elite coaches in women’s college basketball.
The Lady Vols will continue their quest for success as they prepare for the SEC Tournament and a potential NCAA Tournament berth. Fans and analysts alike are eager to see how far Caldwell can take this team in her promising debut season.
