Great coaches don’t just build winning teams—they earn the respect of their players, fans, and even their peers. Kim Caldwell, in her first season as the head coach of the Tennessee Lady Vols, has done exactly that.
With a Sweet 16 berth already secured in her debut season, she has revitalized the Lady Vols. She’s even caught the attention of other Tennessee figures, including men’s basketball coach Rick Barnes.
Tennessee HC Rick Barnes Praises Lady Vols HC Kim Caldwell
Rick Barnes, who has been leading the Vols’ men’s program since 2015, was asked about Kim Caldwell’s remarkable first year ahead of his own Sweet 16 matchup. He detailed how Caldwell immediately made an impact upon her arrival at Tennessee.
“People probably said, ‘Who, what?’ She’s got all that quiet real quick.”
Rick Barnes says he’s not surprised Kim Caldwell has led the #LadyVols to a Sweet 16 in her first season at UT. pic.twitter.com/n8Tg0iuwxt
— Emilie Rae Cochrane (@EmCochranetv) March 26, 2025
“It’s awesome. I mean, from the time that she’s walked on this campus, she’s made a tremendous impact,” Barnes said when asked about Caldwell’s first season.
“I go back a year ago when we started with the Big Orange Caravan that you knew she was confident in what she was doing, her style, she knew that she believed in that. And I look back, and I really admire [Athletic Director] Danny White and his staff for making a hire. I mean, people probably said, who? What? But she got all that quiet real quick.”
Unlike many high-profile names, Caldwell wasn’t the obvious choice to take over one of the most storied programs in women’s college basketball. However, she wasted no time proving that she belonged.
Under her leadership, the Lady Vols have played with a renewed sense of purpose. They’ve embraced her system and bought into her coaching methods, and the results have been undeniable.
Tennessee’s women’s basketball team has even made it to the Sweet 16 and recorded its first victory over UConn since 2007.
Barnes also noted the immense work the Lady Vols have put in this season.
“But if you knew how hard our women’s team works, and I watched it all through the summer and fall, I’m not the least bit surprised in what she’s got going,” he said.
“She’s only gonna continue to build on it. And I hope this team continues to go because, again, we’ve watched them personally and up close how hard they work every day, and it’s really neat watching their success.”
It’s not just about X’s and O’s for her—it’s about developing a culture for the players.
AD White’s decision to hire Caldwell has already paid dividends. His track record of identifying strong coaching talent. If Caldwell’s first season is any indication, Tennessee women’s basketball is in great hands moving forward.
Both the men’s and women’s basketball programs are now just two wins away from a Final Four appearance. Regardless of how this weekend plays out, the fact that both teams are still in contention speaks to their strength.
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