Kim Caldwell knew exactly what she was signing up for when she accepted the Tennessee Lady Vols basketball coaching job a month ago.
And next week, for the first time since being named coach on April 7, Caldwell will face a fan base eager to see the former Marshall University coach return the Lady Vols to the elite of college basketball.
“This is one of a kind. It's the best of the best,” Caldwell told Tennessee fans Tuesday at the first stop of the Big Orange Caravan Tour at Marathon Music Works in Nashville. ” he said. “I'm grateful to be here. I say it over and over again. There's no better job in women's basketball in this country. I may never have another opportunity like this in my lifetime.” not.”
UT broadcast director Bob Kesling met with Caldwell, football coach Josh Heupel and men's basketball coach Rick Barnes, and Caldwell's comments drew applause.
It's been a busy month for Caldwell, assembling his coaching staff and building his roster, starting with the news that senior guard Jewel Spear will be returning after missing his eligibility due to COVID-19. Caldwell also secured a pair of transfers in former Miami forward Lasaria Spearman and Syracuse forward Alyssa Latham.
But connecting with Lady Vols fans across the state will be an important step in expanding recruiting efforts within Tennessee's borders. Of the 10 players currently on the roster, half are from Tennessee.
“We're doing visiting activities day in and day out, but it's important to step away from that because without our fans, we really don't have Tennessee, and they're our selling point, our fan base, our brand, our audience. “We wouldn't be who we are without (the fans) because that's a big part of playing in front of a packed arena and that's what we tell every player we talk to,” she said. .
The caravan comes after bringing in assistants Jenna Burdette and Angel Rizor from Marshall's staff, as well as SEC coaching veterans Roman Tabner (Alabama) and Gabe Lazo (Mississippi State). This will be his first time away from Knoxville for an extended period of time. She will be in Chattanooga on Wednesday, go to Memphis on Thursday and finish in the Tri-Cities on May 8th.
The line of fans waiting for Caldwell snaked around rows of tables and chairs set up at Marathon Music Works. She signed autographs, talked to her fans, and took photos with just about everyone in line. It was the kind of day UT Athletic Director Danny White has become accustomed to over the years as part of caravan stops.
“I told her I'm going to make sure we have the best fan base in this sport,” White said. “Their passion always comes through at events like this.”
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Caldwell spoke briefly about the Lady Vols' legacy. Following in the footsteps of Holly Warwick and Kelly Harper, Caldwell represents a departure from the Pat Summitt lineage.
The challenge is not to qualify for the NCAA Tournament, but to win the NCAA Championship. In Harper's five seasons, the Lady Vols advanced to the tournament four times. Her best postseason performances were Sweet 16 appearances in 2022 and 2023. Caldwell has appeared in the NCAA Tournament in all eight of her seasons as a head coach, including seven seasons at the Division II level, and has expressed her expectations for her time in Knoxville, as well as her coaching in Knoxville. Be aware of her expectations. SEC.
“The SEC is an unrealistic platform for us,” she said. “I don't have a lot of experience, but I know how to coach kids from 18 to 22. That's why I can do it. They're just a lot taller at this level. .”
Sports writer George Robinson can be reached at georgerobinsontheleafchronicle.com and on the X Platform (formerly Twitter) @Cville_Sports.