Kim Caldwell’s first season as head coach of the Tennessee Lady Vols has been nothing short of impressive. Her impact has been recognized nationally, as she has been named to the Naismith Women’s College Coach of the Year Watch List. Caldwell has quickly made a name for herself in Knoxville while joining a group of the nation’s top coaches.
Kim Caldwell Earns Spot on Prestigious Watch List
The Naismith College Coach of the Year Award honors the best women’s basketball coach in NCAA Division I. It is considered the highest recognition for a coach in the sport.
In 2024, South Carolina’s Dawn Staley took home the award.
Caldwell, a five-time conference coach of the year, has already accumulated an impressive list of accolades. She was named the 2024 Spalding Maggie Dixon NCAA Division I Rookie Coach of the Year and was the 2022 NCAA Division II National Coach of the Year, earning the prestigious Pat Summitt Trophy.
She joins an elite group of coaches on the watch list, including Staley, Geno Auriemma (UConn), Kenny Brooks (Kentucky), Mark Campbell (TCU), Cori Close (UCLA), Nell Fortner (Georgia Tech), Lindsay Gottlieb (USC), Niele Ivey (Notre Dame), Kevin McGuff (Ohio State), Jeff Mittie (Kansas State), Wes Moore (NC State), Kim Mulkey (LSU), Shea Ralph (Vanderbilt), and Vic Schaefer (Texas).
Under Caldwell’s leadership, the Lady Vols have posted a 19-6 overall record and a 6-6 mark in SEC play. The team, which started the season unranked, has climbed to a season-best No. 15/13 in national rankings.
Tennessee has secured key victories against No. 5 UConn and No. 17 Iowa while keeping most losses competitive. Their six defeats have been by a combined 20 points, with five coming against top-10 teams.
The Lady Vols are currently ranked No. 11 in the NCAA’s NET rankings. In the latest NCAA Women’s Basketball Committee seedings, they were projected as a No. 16 overall seed. This would allow them to host the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament if they maintain that position.
The Team Is Having High Expectations Moving Forward
Tennessee has been drawing strong fan support, averaging 10,547 attendees per home game, which ranks fifth nationally. It is the highest attendance at Food City Center since the 2013-14 season.
The team’s exciting, fast-paced style has made them one of the top squads in scoring offense, three points made per game, offensive rebounds, steals, and turnovers forced.
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Caldwell has built an outstanding coaching record, standing at 236-37 (.864) overall and 155-19 (.891) in conference play across her nine seasons as a head coach. Her track record of success and ability to elevate Tennessee’s program so quickly has only strengthened her reputation.
The Lady Vols will face No. 18 Alabama at home on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. ET. Caldwell looks to guide her team to their 20th win of the season and add another milestone to her first year at Tennessee.
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