For the first time since 1973, the Lady Vols will be without a head coach linked with Pat Summit, as Danny White announced earlier today that Tennessee had hired Kim Caldwell, the 2023 NCAA Division I Rookie Coach of the Year.
Caldwell’s hiring came just six days after Kellie Harper’s firing. And, while any new hire is met with some suspicion, I can’t help but be optimistic about this move. Tennessee has struggled with its identity for more than a decade, and not in the usual sense. Instead of not understanding who they were as a program, they attempted to recreate something, or in this case, someone, that could not be replicated: Pat Summitt. Both Warlick and Harper had strong connections to
the program and manage to combine for two regular season titles, one SEC tournament title and 119 loses in 10 seasons. For reference, the Lady Vols program had 208 losses from 1974-2012. In that same period, Tennessee has gone from a Top 2 program nationally, to the third, sometimes fourth best team in the SEC
To sum up, a change was much needed. It was time for Tennessee to move on from those who were already invested in the Lady Vol initiative.
But Caldwell—what about him? What is her background, her qualifications, etc.? Her record as a head coach is 217-31 in eight seasons (seven in Division II), with eight NCAA berths and seven conference titles overall. Marshall made their second-ever and first-ever appearance in the NCAA tournament last year during Caldwell’s lone Division I season.
In a statement, Caldwell said, “I am honored and humbled to accept the role as head coach of this historic program at the University of Tennessee.” “When I think back to when I accepted the Pat Summitt Trophy three seasons ago, I can’t help but feel inspired by the immense opportunity and responsibility that come with leading and continuing the amazing Lady Vol tradition she established. I am eager to start working and am looking forward to what our team can achieve as a whole.
As reported by Knox News, Caldwell has a contract that expires on March 31, 2029, and he will make $750,000 year. With a press conference scheduled for Tuesday, it is anticipated that she will shortly arrive on campus to meet with the present team.
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