A New Chapter for Kim Caldwell: Tennessee Coach Gives Birth, Leaves Team to Face Texas
Tennessee head coach Kim Caldwell was absent from the Lady Vols’ 80-76 defeat to No. 7 Texas on Thursday night due to recently giving birth to her first child. Caldwell, who is 36 years old, welcomed a son, Conor Scott Caldwell, with her husband Justin earlier this week. Both mother and baby are reportedly doing well, as confirmed by a Tennessee spokesperson, though no specific date for her return to the team has been announced.
In Caldwell’s absence, assistant coach Jenna Burdette is stepping in as the acting head coach to lead the Lady Vols. Caldwell’s absence marks a significant moment in her career, as it comes just after an exciting season that saw her lead Marshall University to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in nearly three decades. Caldwell, known for her impressive coaching record of 217-31, had only been at Tennessee for a brief period after transferring from Marshall. Prior to her time at Marshall, she also led Glenville State to the 2022 NCAA Division II championship.
The Lady Vols’ recent loss to Texas was their fourth of the season, dropping their record to 15-4. Remarkably, all four of their losses have been close, with the combined margin of defeat totaling just eight points. Three of those defeats have come against ranked teams, underscoring the competitive nature of Tennessee’s schedule. Despite this setback, Tennessee remains one of the most high-powered offensive teams in the country, leading the nation in scoring with an average of 94.3 points per game. They are also known for their prolific 3-point shooting, leading the country in both attempts and makes from beyond the arc.
In a recent interview with The Associated Press, Caldwell spoke about the challenges and opportunities women in sports face, particularly in balancing the demands of coaching with significant life events like pregnancy. She expressed her desire to be a resource for others navigating similar challenges, noting, “I have an opportunity here to help the next person who’s going to get pregnant during basketball season or anyone who’s going to get pregnant during a stressful time in their life—because, for most women, that’s all the time.”
Caldwell’s absence highlights a personal milestone, but her legacy as a coach continues to grow. She has made a notable impact at every stop of her career, and her approach to coaching, mentoring, and advocating for women’s needs both in and out of the sports world remains at the forefront of her leadership style. With her team showing resilience despite her absence, Caldwell’s return will be eagerly awaited as she continues to lead Tennessee toward future success.
