In a significant move that underscores the University of Tennessee’s commitment to excellence in women’s basketball, Athletic Director Danny White has announced a one-year contract extension for head coach Kim Caldwell. This extension, confirmed on April 1, 2025, ensures that Caldwell will remain at the helm of the Lady Vols through March 31, 2030.
A Promising Debut Season
Caldwell’s inaugural season with the Lady Vols was marked by remarkable achievements. Under her leadership, the team secured a 24-10 overall record, with an 8-8 performance in Southeastern Conference (SEC) play. The Lady Vols advanced to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament, defeating four ranked opponents along the way. Notably, Tennessee reached as high as No. 11 in the national rankings during the season, reflecting the team’s resurgence under Caldwell’s guidance.
White praised Caldwell’s innovative approach to the game, stating, “From our first meeting with Kim, it was clear that she is a groundbreaking innovator destined to lead the future of women’s basketball.” He highlighted her dynamic, high-octane offense and relentless defense as key factors contributing to the team’s success.
Caldwell’s Coaching Philosophy
Caldwell’s coaching philosophy emphasizes a fast-paced, high-scoring style of play. The Lady Vols set SEC and program records for three-pointers made (343) and attempted (1,054) during the season. They finished second in the nation in three-pointers per game (10.1) and third in scoring offense (86.6 points per game). A standout moment came on December 14, 2024, when Tennessee set NCAA, SEC, and school records by making 30 three-pointers in a single game against North Carolina Central, scoring a program-high 139 points.
Caldwell’s approach also includes a deep rotation of players, often substituting in bunches, similar to hockey line changes. This strategy keeps players fresh and maintains a relentless pace throughout the game.
Contract Details and Incentives
Caldwell’s original five-year contract, signed in April 2024, was valued at $3.75 million, with an annual base salary of $750,000. The contract includes several performance-based incentives:
- NCAA Tournament Performance:
- National Championship: $400,000
- Championship Game Appearance: $200,000
- Final Four Appearance: $150,000
- Elite Eight Appearance: $100,000
- Sweet 16 Appearance: $75,000
- Round of 32 Appearance: $40,000
- NCAA Tournament Appearance: $25,000
- SEC Achievements:
- SEC Regular Season Championship: $60,000
- SEC Tournament Championship: $30,000
- Individual Honors:
- Naismith National Coach of the Year: $20,000
- SEC Coach of the Year: $15,000
- Academic Performance:
- Exceeding the national average in the Academic Progress Rate (APR) for women’s basketball: $25,000
Additionally, if Caldwell leads Tennessee to an NCAA National Championship, her base salary will be adjusted to equal or exceed the highest salary of any Division I women’s basketball head coach, based on publicly available salary data at that time.
Background and Previous Success
Before joining Tennessee, Caldwell had an impressive coaching career. She spent seven seasons at Glenville State, her alma mater, where she led the team to a Division II National Championship in 2022. Her tenure at Glenville State was marked by a 217-31 overall record and multiple conference titles. Caldwell also served as the head coach at Marshall for one season, guiding the team to a school-record 26 wins, a Sun Belt Conference title, and their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1997.
