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The Lady Vols concluded the worst season in program history with a 76-61 loss to NC State in a first-round NCAA Tournament game on March 20. But second-year coach Kim Caldwell is losing more than games.
She’s losing her fan base.
Richard writes: John, regarding your column on Kim Caldwell “identifying problems, can she solve them?” I submit she has another equally difficult one: winning back the fan base. Not since Jeremy Pruitt have fans turned on a UT coach so quickly.
She seems to have the same problem as Pruitt − hubris. And Lady Vols fans are even tougher in their expectations. Once a coach has lost them, historically it's over (see Holly Warlick and Kellie Harper), even if it takes a season or two for the AD to pull the plug.
And ironically, the highly anticipated Robin Roberts documentary on Pat Summitt isn't going to help her, either.
My response: I’m looking forward to the Summitt documentary. I also would like to see a documentary on the Lady Vols’ 2025-26 team.
The contrast between the two would be stunning.
Dan writes: The best thing to happen to the Lady Vols would be for athletic director Danny White to fire Caldwell.
Why would he keep her after the most embarrassing season in Lady Vols history?
She lies about the team and individual player issues. She shows no compassion for her team. She walks around with her arms crossed and doesn’t have a clue how to coach or motivate a team that hates her.
She is playing the AD with her BS. Many of us have talked to players and their families and know the truth.
My response: The truth: The transfer portal was created for a team just like this one.
However, transfer traffic goes both ways. So, maybe the Lady Vols can bolster their roster with an influx of transfers.
But, after this season, they better be prepared to overpay.
Dorn writes: I have been enjoying your work for a long time. I think your March 23 column may be your best yet. I was so frustrated by coach Kin Caldwell’s comments. Reading your spot-on analysis approached being a cathartic experience.
Thank you.
My response: No, thank you. When I became a sports columnist – about the same time dinosaurs roamed the earth – one of my goals was to provide a cathartic experience for readers.
Guess I can check that box now.
Tom writes: Great column, John.
One other thing I would have mentioned: if Caldwell’s system is so great (in her mind), why are all other D1 coaches not trying it? Or using it?
My response: I’ve yet to hear from a former player or coach who believes Caldwell’s unorthodox approach will work at this level. They cite the constant substituting as a bigger problem than her devotion to the full-court press or 3-point shooting.
Mike writes: Hello, Danny White. Why hasn't Kim Caldwell been fired yet?
My response: Tennessee’s athletic director has a tough decision to make. But Tennessee’s NIL supporters might make it for him.
Gary writes: I wonder if Danny White is still "thrilled" with his Lady Vols basketball hire? Caldwell is clueless and evidently cannot understand the tradition and storied program that the Lady Vols have always been.
This season has been an epic failure on her part. Let me count the ways: most losses in a season, no wins in March, not allowing a senior to start on Senior Day, wholesale substitutions that aren’t working, no in-game adjustments, benching her best players.
Lady Vols fans will not continue to support such incompetence.
My response: I wouldn't expect a stampede to purchase Lady Vols season tickets for 2026-27.
Don writes: The Lady Vols against NC State had nowhere near the intensity on defense as the Men Vols did against Miami of Ohio. For the Men Vols, there was no daylight between the defender and the would-be three-point shooter. With the Lady Vols on the other hand, the other team was getting wide-open 3s all game long.
I think that this group − and I hope they all come back next year, along with the coach − needs some additional motivation.
My response: Between now and next week, my goal is – in addition to providing more cathartic experiences for my readers – to find someone who shares your hope for the team and coaching staff to return.
On second thought, a week might not be enough time. Give me a month.
Colorado Mark writes: Having not observed the Lady Divas enough this season to form an honest evaluation, I will leave it to the experts, but I do feel there is a good deal more to this story than will be told.
System, players, practice regimen, discipline, conditioning, coach − whatever, take your pick − but start with the low-picking fruit. Start with one problem, fix it and move on down the list.
If you don't have players that can hit 3-pointers and thrive in your system, find some who can. If not, Kim Caldwell will become the low-picking fruit.
ADAMS: Kim Caldwell identified problem for Lady Vols basketball, but can she solve it?
Personally, I think Caldwell has a great offensive system mismatched with the wrong players, but what do I know? I thought they would make it to the Final Four.
My response: Don’t beat yourself up over that prediction. They came up only four wins short.
John Adams is a senior columnist. He may be reached at 865-342-6284 or [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Readers react strongly to Lady Vols, Kim Caldwell's March Madness exit
Continue reading...
She’s losing her fan base.
Richard writes: John, regarding your column on Kim Caldwell “identifying problems, can she solve them?” I submit she has another equally difficult one: winning back the fan base. Not since Jeremy Pruitt have fans turned on a UT coach so quickly.
She seems to have the same problem as Pruitt − hubris. And Lady Vols fans are even tougher in their expectations. Once a coach has lost them, historically it's over (see Holly Warlick and Kellie Harper), even if it takes a season or two for the AD to pull the plug.
And ironically, the highly anticipated Robin Roberts documentary on Pat Summitt isn't going to help her, either.
My response: I’m looking forward to the Summitt documentary. I also would like to see a documentary on the Lady Vols’ 2025-26 team.
The contrast between the two would be stunning.
Dan writes: The best thing to happen to the Lady Vols would be for athletic director Danny White to fire Caldwell.
Why would he keep her after the most embarrassing season in Lady Vols history?
She lies about the team and individual player issues. She shows no compassion for her team. She walks around with her arms crossed and doesn’t have a clue how to coach or motivate a team that hates her.
She is playing the AD with her BS. Many of us have talked to players and their families and know the truth.
My response: The truth: The transfer portal was created for a team just like this one.
However, transfer traffic goes both ways. So, maybe the Lady Vols can bolster their roster with an influx of transfers.
But, after this season, they better be prepared to overpay.
Dorn writes: I have been enjoying your work for a long time. I think your March 23 column may be your best yet. I was so frustrated by coach Kin Caldwell’s comments. Reading your spot-on analysis approached being a cathartic experience.
Thank you.
My response: No, thank you. When I became a sports columnist – about the same time dinosaurs roamed the earth – one of my goals was to provide a cathartic experience for readers.
Guess I can check that box now.
Tom writes: Great column, John.
One other thing I would have mentioned: if Caldwell’s system is so great (in her mind), why are all other D1 coaches not trying it? Or using it?
My response: I’ve yet to hear from a former player or coach who believes Caldwell’s unorthodox approach will work at this level. They cite the constant substituting as a bigger problem than her devotion to the full-court press or 3-point shooting.
Mike writes: Hello, Danny White. Why hasn't Kim Caldwell been fired yet?
My response: Tennessee’s athletic director has a tough decision to make. But Tennessee’s NIL supporters might make it for him.
Gary writes: I wonder if Danny White is still "thrilled" with his Lady Vols basketball hire? Caldwell is clueless and evidently cannot understand the tradition and storied program that the Lady Vols have always been.
This season has been an epic failure on her part. Let me count the ways: most losses in a season, no wins in March, not allowing a senior to start on Senior Day, wholesale substitutions that aren’t working, no in-game adjustments, benching her best players.
Lady Vols fans will not continue to support such incompetence.
My response: I wouldn't expect a stampede to purchase Lady Vols season tickets for 2026-27.
Don writes: The Lady Vols against NC State had nowhere near the intensity on defense as the Men Vols did against Miami of Ohio. For the Men Vols, there was no daylight between the defender and the would-be three-point shooter. With the Lady Vols on the other hand, the other team was getting wide-open 3s all game long.
I think that this group − and I hope they all come back next year, along with the coach − needs some additional motivation.
My response: Between now and next week, my goal is – in addition to providing more cathartic experiences for my readers – to find someone who shares your hope for the team and coaching staff to return.
On second thought, a week might not be enough time. Give me a month.
Colorado Mark writes: Having not observed the Lady Divas enough this season to form an honest evaluation, I will leave it to the experts, but I do feel there is a good deal more to this story than will be told.
System, players, practice regimen, discipline, conditioning, coach − whatever, take your pick − but start with the low-picking fruit. Start with one problem, fix it and move on down the list.
If you don't have players that can hit 3-pointers and thrive in your system, find some who can. If not, Kim Caldwell will become the low-picking fruit.
ADAMS: Kim Caldwell identified problem for Lady Vols basketball, but can she solve it?
Personally, I think Caldwell has a great offensive system mismatched with the wrong players, but what do I know? I thought they would make it to the Final Four.
My response: Don’t beat yourself up over that prediction. They came up only four wins short.
John Adams is a senior columnist. He may be reached at 865-342-6284 or [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Readers react strongly to Lady Vols, Kim Caldwell's March Madness exit
Continue reading...
