When Kim Caldwell took over as head coach of the Tennessee Lady Vols in April 2024, few expected the seismic shift that was about to take place. Known for her relentless press defense and blistering up-tempo offense, Caldwell represented a stark departure from the program’s recent past. But for a team hungry to restore its championship tradition, her unconventional approach may be exactly what they need.
A New Era Dawns on Rocky Top
The surprise hiring of Caldwell, who had just one year of Division I head coaching experience at Marshall, raised eyebrows across the women’s basketball landscape. But Tennessee Athletic Director Danny White was convinced she could provide the spark the Lady Vols needed. “I want to hire somebody that has a chance to make us elite,” White explained. “I was the most confident that Kim could give us the spark that we need.”
Caldwell’s teams are known for their distinctive style of play – a suffocating press defense that forces turnovers and fuels a lightning-fast offensive attack. Last season at Marshall, her squad ranked in the top five nationally in scoring, 3-pointers made, turnovers forced, and steals. It’s a far cry from the more methodical approach employed by previous Tennessee coaches, but Caldwell is unwavering in her belief that it can work at the highest level.
‘Hate Me Now, Love Me Later’
Implementing such a drastically different system requires buy-in from the players, and Caldwell wasted no time putting them through a grueling offseason training regimen. The team gathered at 6 a.m. every Friday for punishing conditioning sessions designed to build the stamina needed to maintain their frenetic pace for a full 40 minutes.
You don’t actually know what that feels like until you’re in the moment. I can vividly remember running up hills outside, and that was possibly the hardest thing. Then we got to the track, and it was even harder.
Senior forward Sara Puckett
In addition to the track workouts, players were required to make 500 3-pointers and 400 free throws each week during the summer. Caldwell frequently reminded them: “Hate me now. Love me later.” It’s a mantra that encapsulates her coaching philosophy – demanding the most from her players in pursuit of excellence.
A Program Reborn
As the season approaches, there’s a palpable sense of excitement and anticipation surrounding the program. Caldwell’s system is a radical departure from the Lady Vols’ recent past, but the players have fully embraced the challenge. Senior guard Jewel Spear put it simply: “I want people to know that you’re gonna hate playing us.”
The pressure is undoubtedly on Caldwell to succeed where her predecessors have fallen short. The Lady Vols haven’t reached the Final Four since their last championship in 2008, a drought unthinkable for a program with eight national titles. But with a new coach, a new style, and a roster hungry to prove itself, Tennessee appears poised to reassert its place among the nation’s elite.
Only time will tell if Caldwell’s gamble pays off, but one thing is certain – the Tennessee Lady Vols will be must-see TV this season. For a program eager to return to the spotlight, that alone feels like a step in the right direction.
