Tennessee women’s basketball coach Kim Caldwell believes the Lady Vols enter the 2026-27 season with little room for error.
In an interview with ESPN published Wednesday, Caldwell called last season “the worst year” of her coaching career. She admitted she strayed from the coaching philosophy that had fueled success earlier in her career.
“It’s without a doubt the worst year of my coaching career,” Caldwell told ESPN. “I was harder on myself than anyone else could have been. I was more unhappy than anyone else with the result.”
Tennessee advanced to the Sweet 16 behind a 24-10 record in Caldwell’s first season. The Lady Vols then finished 16-14 in 2025-26 and ended the season on an eight-game. The season ended in a loss to NC State in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament.
Caldwell told ESPN she tried to make too many changes entering her second season while chasing a Final Four appearance.
“It didn’t have to be that deep of a change,” Caldwell said. “You ignorantly try to swing for the fences and go to a Final Four in Year 2 by changing a lot of things, and that wasn’t successful.”
The disappointing season led to a near-complete roster overhaul.
Tennessee lost every player from last season’s roster and responded by signing 13 transfers and two from the high school ranks to build a new 15-player team.
Gabby Minus was the only player to stay with Tennessee after year two for Caldwell.
Previously Caldwell said the staff prioritized players who could fit multiple roles, shoot the ball and embrace the demanding culture she expects.
With the new roster beginning summer workouts, Caldwell acknowledged the importance of the upcoming season.
“I feel like if we have another year like last year, then yeah, that’s it,” Caldwell told ESPN. “We have to put a better product on the floor. We have to play hard. We have to look the way I want my team to look.”
