Tennessee assistant coach Coach Isoken Uzamere is still adjusting to life on Rocky Top after joining Kim Caldwell’s staff this offseason. Coach Uzamere comes to Tennessee following a successful stint at Georgia and recent work with the Nigerian national team.
Uzamere said the opportunity to join Tennessee was one she could not pass up.
“The University of Tennessee, it speaks for itself,” Uzamere said. “It’s a powerhouse, it’s a university that obviously Coach (Pat) Summitt built, and anybody that gets the opportunity, they would be chomping at the bit to get the job.”
Before arriving in Knoxville, Uzamere built a reputation as a defensive-minded coach and recruiter while coaching in the SEC. She also recently helped coach the Nigerian national team.
Iso said her early conversations with Caldwell helped solidify the move.
“She was really straight to the point, fun, witty,” Iso said. “So we kind of connected.”
Having coached against Caldwell the past two seasons, Uzamere had an idea of what to expect once she joined the staff.
“The preparation in itself is very different from how we prepared any other team in the SEC,” Uzamere said. “It’s very, very exhausting as a coach.”
Since arriving in Knoxville, Iso described the transition as hectic but rewarding as Tennessee navigated roster building through the transfer portal.
“We hit the ground running,” Uzamere said. “The transition has been seamless, to be honest, because they’ve made it really easy for me to get acclimated.”
Caldwell also encouraged Uzamere to continue pursuing her opportunity with the Nigerian national team after accepting the Tennessee position.
“When I talked to Kim, she was like, ‘No, absolutely, you need to do this,’” Uzamere said. “‘We’ll figure it out.’”
That support became even more meaningful when members of Caldwell’s staff surprised her during her time in Indianapolis with the Nigerian national team. The group included Bill Ferrara, who once coached Uzamere at Hofstra.
“It was awesome,” Uzamere said. “It’s really dope just how supportive they’ve been.”
Now settling into Tennessee’s culture, Uzamere said the message to players has centered around the standard built by Pat Summitt.
“When you come to Tennessee, it’s not about you,” Uzamere said. “You’re coming for something bigger than yourself.”
Uzamere officially joined the Lady Vol family as an assistant coach on April 7, 2026. She also goes by Coach Eas.
