Randy Smith: Tennessee Finally Steps Outside The Family

Randy Smith

On Sunday afternoon word got out that Tennessee had hired a new head women's basketball coach. And for the first time ever, the Lady Vols will have an " outsider " coaching them. Kim Caldwell, who spent one season at Marshall before being hired by U.T. athletic director Danny White, won a school record 26 games and took the Thundering Herd to the NCAA Tournament. Prior to coaching at Marshall, Caldwell spent seven seasons coaching at her alma mater, Division II Glenville State. She has an overall record of 217-31 with eight trips to the NCAA Tournament spread out over two divisions. At Tennessee she gets a five year contract worth $3.75 million.

Very few members of the Big Orange Nation are criticizing the hiring of Caldwell. The only ones complaining are the "old school" fans who believe it should have been another former lady Vol or a Pat Summitt protege. My personal opinion is this....Holly Warlick and Kelly Harper each had success but not at the level Tennessee expects. There is no question that Kim Caldwell has had success and Danny White is banking on that success continuing at Tennessee. Caldwell has won seven conference championships in eight years as a head coach and like it or not, White has set a precedent of hiring coaches under the radar....Josh Heupel for example.

Let's face it. The women's basketball game has passed Tennessee up. The Lady Vols' last national title came in 2008 which is also the last time they went to the Final Four. This storied program can still be a juggernaut in women's college basketball. Tennessee has the largest and nicest arena to play in and athletic facilities that are second to none in college sports. That becomes even more important in 2024 because of the recent explosion of the sport in popularity. The ultra-popular Caitlin Clark is no longer playing college basketball. She's now a professional athlete and a millionaire. It remains to be seen if the sport can continue the success its had in the last couple of years. However, I think it will, because women's college hoops is bigger than any one or two players.

Time will tell if Kim Caldwell is the right coach for the Lady Vols. She's bright, articulate and is getting rave reviews from other coaches and school administrators. Most Tennessee fans are giving her the benefit of the doubt and willing to give her a chance. As for the others, get over it. She's been given a chance....the same thing Tennessee gave Pat Summitt 50 years ago.