Kim Caldwell, a private individual hailing from a small town, has been discreet about her first pregnancy for several months. However, on September 3rd, she announced the news of “Baby Caldwell” through a social media post. As the newly appointed head coach of the renowned Tennessee Lady Vols women’s basketball program, she has come to realize her position also allows her to support other working mothers who may feel overwhelmed or isolated during similar transitions in their lives. Caldwell expressed her desire to assist those who may face the challenge of pregnancy during the basketball season or at other stressful times. “I have an opportunity here to help the next person that is going to get pregnant during basketball season or anyone that’s going to get pregnant during a time of their life that’s stressful,” she explained, revealing the universal struggle many women face.
As she manages her own stress, Caldwell is approaching the final stages of her pregnancy, due soon while simultaneously leading the 15th-ranked Lady Vols, who are currently 14-2 and in the heart of their Southeastern Conference season. The pressure is heightened for Caldwell as the team experienced narrow losses to two Top 10 ranked opponents, which she described as a persistent source of motivation. “Those three points haunt me every day,” she said, noting the impact these games have on her coaching strategies and player mentality. The coaching staff has been working on tightening their performance as they learn from these close defeats.
In April, athletic director Danny White chose Caldwell, marking a shift from the program’s traditional coaching pipelines, making her the third head coach since the legendary Pat Summitt’s retirement. Under Summitt’s leadership, the Lady Vols were perennial NCAA Tournament contenders, and Caldwell inherits the challenge of maintaining that legacy. Previous coaches Holly Warlick and Kellie Harper, both former players for Summitt, struggled to return the team to the Final Four. Caldwell’s credentials include leading Marshall to its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1997, alongside a stellar 217-31 record and seven NCAA berths at her alma mater, Glenville State, where she claimed a national championship in 2022.
Despite never envisioning herself coaching at Tennessee, Caldwell is committed to executing her established winning strategies and is determined to meet the expectations of Lady Vols fans. Her coaching style emphasizes a fast-paced, high-energy approach that makes it difficult for opponents to prepare adequately. Caldwell’s arrival required her players to enhance their conditioning to endure a grueling 40 minutes of game time, and that hard work paid off when the team nearly staged a comeback from 19 points down against No. 9 Oklahoma, although ultimately losing by a single point. Soon after, they faced LSU, suffering another narrow loss despite rallying from an 18-point deficit.
During one of those games, LSU coach Kim Mulkey continued a thoughtful tradition by presenting Caldwell with a gift bag filled with items to welcome her future baby. Mulkey, who has long advocated for increased female representation in coaching and parenting roles in women’s basketball, looked up to Summitt as a mentor during her own coaching journey, recalling how Summitt encouraged her to balance motherhood and a coaching career. “You can have a baby and you can raise a child and you can be a great coach,” Mulkey recalled Summitt assuring her.
On Thursday night, Caldwell will lead her team against Mississippi State as part of the 13th annual “We Back Pat” fundraiser event, honoring the legacy of Pat Summitt in conjunction with the Pat Summitt Foundation. This event holds special significance for Caldwell, whose grandmother battled Alzheimer’s disease.
Though Caldwell is still awaiting the arrival of her child, she has been keeping it subtle by wearing oversized attire on the sidelines, emphasizing the team’s focus on performance over personal details. The specifics of her baby’s gender remain private for now, but Caldwell shared that plans are already in place for her re-entry to coaching once she becomes a mother.
She mentioned that the exact timing of her return is uncertain, but she is hopeful to rejoin the Lady Vols quite soon. “God willing … I definitely have plans to return sooner than later,” she affirmed. Caldwell recognizes that every birthing experience is unique and prepares for any situation that might arise, aware that the SEC Tournament commences on March 5, with the NCAA Tournament following shortly after on March 21-22, and Tennessee could potentially host the first weekend’s games.
