Kim Caldwell’s debut as head coach for the Tennessee Lady Vols couldn’t have been more dramatic. Just 18 days after giving birth to her son Conor Scott Caldwell, Caldwell led her team to a thrilling 80-76 victory over No. 5 UConn.
The victory was Tennessee’s first win over the Huskies since 2007, a historic achievement that also paid tribute to two major influences in Caldwell’s life: her father and the legendary Pat Summitt.
Kim Caldwell Makes History with First Career Win Over UConn
Caldwell’s win over UConn marked a significant milestone in her coaching career. “I think she would be thrilled with the effort and the rebounding,” Caldwell said of Pat Summitt, the iconic Tennessee coach who passed away in 2016. Summitt led the Lady Vols to eight NCAA titles and shaped the careers of 34 WNBA players.
Caldwell also honored her father, Scott Stephens, who had been a key part of her coaching journey before he passed away in 2020.
“I’m sure she’s up in heaven with my dad, and they’re probably having a cold one and celebrating,” Caldwell added.
After the victory, Jason Baum posted a heartfelt image showing Caldwell admiring Summitt’s picture, captioned:
“The only two coaches in Lady Vol history with wins over UConn… the late Pat Summitt and Kim Caldwell!”
Caldwell’s win was especially emotional for her, considering the tremendous influence both figures had on her life and career. Summitt’s legacy at Tennessee is unmatched, but Caldwell’s triumph showed that the Lady Vols are still a force to be reckoned with.
The game was played before 16,215 fans at Food City Center, who were treated to an exciting finish. Tennessee improved its record to 17-5 with the win, which was only their second over a ranked opponent this season.
The Lady Vols came through in the clutch, with junior forward Zee Spearman leading the way by scoring 16 points, including a crucial layup with 15 seconds left that put Tennessee ahead by four, effectively sealing the win.
Caldwell Returns Quickly to Coaching After Childbirth
Caldwell’s appearance on SportsCenter after the game reflected her deep emotional connection to the victory. During the interview, Scott Van Pelt asked Caldwell what she would one day tell her son Conor about the win. Caldwell, who had juggled her pregnancy and coaching responsibilities.
“Our team has been so great throughout my whole pregnancy, I’m finally just getting back to feeling like myself,” Caldwell admitted. “And those girls talked to him when he was in my belly every single day, even in the middle of practice. So I think he’d be really proud of his girls tonight.”
Tennessee’s victory over UConn also ended a long drought. The two teams had not played each other between 2008 and 2019, following Pat Summitt’s decision to cancel the series in 2007.
Since the series resumed in 2020, UConn had won the previous four matchups, which made the Lady Vols’ victory even more significant. The win brought Tennessee’s record to 1-4 against UConn since the series was revived, and the Huskies still lead the all-time series 17-10.
What made Caldwell’s achievement even more impressive was her swift return to coaching after childbirth. She gave birth to her son Conor on January 20, 2024, and despite missing Tennessee’s loss to Texas on January 23, she was back in practice the very next day.
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When asked in her postgame interview with ESPN about her plans after the game, Caldwell was eager to reunite with her newborn son.
“I want to go home and see my baby boy,” she said.
Caldwell was on the sidelines to coach the Lady Vols against South Carolina just one week after having her son, showing her commitment to the team and her role as a leader. Her rapid return to the court after managing the demands of both motherhood and coaching showcased her resilience.
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