Kim Caldwell (Rookie Coach of the Year-WBCA) is named Head Coach of Iconic Lady Vols WBB

[Clad in Big Orange]

Emotional in literally every post though. I understand not being thrilled, but get a grip.

Emotional intelligence is not common in todays world.

 

[turbovol]

You know who really hates this hire? The other coaches in the SEC.

Comical post.

 

[Volfan1000]

I'm really curious to see who DW pulls. Based on his previous track record I think he will make a fantastic hire.

Caldwell seems like a solid hire and she could be the Billy Donovan of the Tennessee Lady Volunteers.

 

[feathersax]

Like I said before, could have been some issues going on and he needed to change, none of us no why he actually fired her, I don’t go on forum speculation.

Kellie's record vs. ranked opponents at UT a factor. Something like 11-35 in 5 seasons.

 

[BigALWiLson]

She doesn't even look good in orange.

Did Holly ? I never thought Kellie was all that either.

 

[Volfan1000]

You know the issue will be her record against ranked teams.

Caldwell has won a Division 2 title in her career and I trust White and his track record of hiring coaches.

 

[lfvol]

On the phone with my friend now. Sounds like Gottlieb was the only reach. She wasn’t going to leave. USC was prepared to match any offer. Her agent basically said she’s committed to her recruits and there isn’t a number that would undo that. No offer was made. After that, Kim was his plan. This is what White does. He can pick a ten dollar stock that will be worth 200 later. I realize people will be bothered by the hire, but it’s not possible to dismiss given White’s past success. He had an authorized big number to get Gottlieb, but it wasn’t going to get her here. White typically believes coaches are ascending, plateauing, or declining. Hes a big believer that you only hire ascending coaches. It’s early in her career, but she is ascending. I’d give it time, with a strong chance that White was right.

Does hiring a younger rising coach at a manageable salary indicate a big budget for a couple of elite big school recruiters?

 

[Tnphil]

Kellie's record vs. ranked opponents at UT a factor. Something like 11-35 in 5 seasons.

12-37...But some wanted to keep her.

 

[BigALWiLson]

How???? Good yes, best in the country a massive over reach.

How do you figure ? Look at the totality of UT sports under his leadership. We have been solid in just about everything. I don't love the hire honestly but at the same time every coach starts somewhere and she has been dominate at every level. To me it deserves a wait and see approach

 

[AllVols3]

You know who really hates this hire? The other coaches in the SEC.

Yeah , I'd say Mulkey , Staley, and Coach Vo lost alot of sleep. Get real, nobody is scared of this hire.

 

[Ratvol]

POPCORN here Get yer POPCORN

 

[Stoerner Fumbles]

Does hiring a younger rising coach at a manageable salary indicate a big budget for a couple of elite big school recruiters?

The AD and the coach know the waters they’re in. I’d assume she’ll have any support she needs, but I also don’t think she’ll be micromanaged.

 

[Volfan1000]

Danny White is the best AD in the history of Tennessee. GBO!

White is on the Mount Rushmore of Tennessee athletic directors along with Dickey and Woodruff and Bowden Wyatt who hired Ray Mears from Wittenburg to come to Tennessee.

 

[therickbol]

Chastain will be too slow for her system. Don’t see that being a good fit anymore.

Still not convinced on that one anyway. She loads it from her knees when she shoots, terrible form for the long run.

It's not 1980. She shoots it the way almost all great shooters do in 2024.

 

[lvocd]

Grenville freaking State y’all.

Players are players and teaching is teaching. If her system is as solid as DW thinks, and if she's a gifted teacher, then SEC-level players SHOULD be capable of making her system look even better than her highly successful GS and Marshall teams.

Can't wait to see how it works out.

My immediate concern is the level of pressure she's under beginning today. It's going to be a lot, and I hope she stays healthy and doesn't let it get to her. Obviously the right staff could help her get through the madness. It is absolutely crazy how many new and bigger mountains she has ahead of her to climb.

Everyone needs to send positive thoughts her way that she can handle the stress. I'm sure pulling for her.

 

[37620VOL]

How do you know those players fit her system?

These 2 players fit any system

 

[Volfaninfl2]

So the hire got hidden right in front of the National Championship game, says a lot.

 

[Grahamland]

I’m not concerned about her coaching. She’s proven she can coach and win. My only concern is recruiting. Will she stack her assistants with proven elite D1 recruiters? Time will tell.

We won’t have to wait long on how she’s going to do recruiting. She’s gonna HAVE to hit the portal hard for girls to fit her system.

Spear should thrive

 

[ERvolsfan]

Keep in mind her Husband Justin Caldwell was assistant coach on the Marshall Mens basketball team. Prior to that when she was at Glennville state he was the head men's basketball coach there...

I would assume he will be one of her assistant coaches here

 

[allstar34bd]

Lady Vols Ranked #1 in Pre-Season CCR

 

[chuckiepoo]

So the hire got hidden right in front of the National Championship game, says a lot.

Made the ESPN scroll immediately. Poor job of hiding. Got the word out to a national wbb centric audience. Check that…

 

[therickbol]

I just want to thank most of the posters in this thread for providing tremendous entertainment. The ignorance is truly mesmerizing. I have laughed out loud. Posters acting like they have any clue about her lack of ability to be successful. Phenomenonal actual basketball coach. Great system. Recruiting will dictate how high her ceiling is.

 

[7Iron]

I agree with you. This decision truly guts me. It is mind-blowing that this was the best option available.

I just emailed to cancel my BoostHer Club subscription and will be out of here for a while.

I cannot take this seriously.

I just joined the BoosteHer Club. Looking forward to many great years!!

 

[TNRazor]

Made the ESPN scroll immediately. Poor job of hiding. Got the word out to a national wbb centric audience. Check that…

When I looked it was at the top of the scroll. Not every female coaching hire in the country can do that.

 

[Proud Army Wife]

Such a hot commodity that no one else went for her in their coaching searches... but yet she was the one chosen to lead one of the most storied programs in basketball history. LOL

I feel like Danny is obsessed with up and comers with potential. I don’t know if it’s his ego and he thinks he’s some expert at finding them, but either way it’s a huge gamble. I don’t like it. I’m sick of every one of our AD’s shopping the bargain bin. He realizes he’s putting the most storied women’s basketball program in the hands of an unproven coach right? Right?!?!