In an inspiring display of dedication and the modern realities of working motherhood, Tennessee Lady Volunteers head coach Kim Caldwell is set to return to the sideline on Monday night, a mere week after giving birth to her first child. The 17th-ranked Lady Vols will host defending national champions #2 South Carolina, in what is sure to be an emotional and highly anticipated matchup.
Balancing Coaching and Motherhood
Caldwell, who welcomed son Conor Scott last Monday amidst a bout with the flu, missed just one game – an 80-76 road loss to #7 Texas. Assistant coach Jenna Burdette stepped in as acting head coach for that contest, but Caldwell admitted to feeling “helpless” watching from afar, even as she praised Burdette’s performance.
It just was more of a helpless feeling than anything else.
– Kim Caldwell on missing the Texas game
The first-year head coach has wasted no time getting back to business, returning to practice on Friday. She credited her support system, especially her husband and mother, with enabling her swift comeback. “It would be a completely different story if that wasn’t the case,” Caldwell acknowledged.
Advice from Coach Rick Barnes
In preparing for the challenges of balancing her coaching career with new motherhood, Caldwell sought counsel from Lady Vols men’s coach Rick Barnes, her husband’s boss. As a father of two and grandfather of five, Barnes had sage advice to offer:
This is what we do. It can’t be who you are.
– Rick Barnes on balancing coaching and parenting
Keeping Germs at Bay
In light of her recent illness and the team battling a flu bug, Caldwell is taking precautions to protect her newborn son’s health. Despite the squad’s eagerness to meet the newest member of the Lady Vols family, baby Conor will be kept at a safe distance for now. “We have a lot of germs,” Caldwell explained wryly.
A Tall Task Against South Carolina
Caldwell’s first game back couldn’t be much tougher, as the Lady Vols host Dawn Staley’s powerhouse Gamecocks. The two SEC rivals last met in the conference tournament final, where South Carolina prevailed en route to their second national title.
Tennessee enters this marquee matchup having lost four games by a combined 8 points, with three of those defeats coming against top-10 opponents. At 15-4 (3-4 SEC), the Lady Vols are in dire need of a signature win to bolster their NCAA tournament resume. An upset of the Gamecocks would certainly qualify.
Lady Vols Boast Elite Offense
Under Caldwell’s guidance, Tennessee has assembled one of the nation’s most explosive attacks. The Lady Vols rank first in the country in scoring at a blistering 93.4 points per game. They also lead all teams in made three-pointers, connecting on 11.5 triples per contest.
The dynamic backcourt duo of Jordan Horston and Rickea Jackson keys the Lady Vols’ potent offense, with both players averaging over 15 points per outing. Tennessee’s uptempo, perimeter-oriented style will test South Carolina’s stingy defense, which allows a paltry 50.8 points per game, second-best in Division I.
A Season-Defining Opportunity
For Caldwell and the Lady Vols, this showdown with South Carolina presents a chance to change the trajectory of their season. A victory would not only snap a two-game skid, but provide a much-needed confidence boost and a marquee win come Selection Sunday.
On a personal level, a strong showing against the Gamecocks would further validate Caldwell’s status as one of the brightest young coaches in the game, demonstrating her ability to juggle the demands of motherhood and her career at the highest level.
Monday night in Knoxville will see the Lady Vols leader being put to the test, both as a new mom and as a basketball coach. For Kim Caldwell, it’s the ultimate opportunity to rise to the occasion, silence any doubters, and begin writing the next chapter in Tennessee’s storied history – with baby Conor in tow.
