Lady Vol For Life, Nikki Caldwell Fargas details the lasting message the legendary coach instilled in her
Knoxville, Tenn. – Pat Summitt’s success as a coach while being a mother helped change the narrative that women can’t be both.
The late and legendary head coach’s inspiring messaging is now encouraging LVFLs and coaches around the league to offer their support to Lady Vols head coach Kim Caldwell as she expects her first child this winter.
Summitt inspired many by her actions, and that became even more true when she had her son, Tyler. Watching her be a mom and coach, left a lasting impression on her former guard, Nikki Caldwell Fargas.
“I think it’s important,” said Fargas. “I remember when I was a player under Pat we were able to witness under her first child with Tyler. I was a freshman and I got to see Tyler grow up. He grew up around us.”
Fargas, now the president of the WNBA Los Angeles Aces, was once one of the country’s top young coaches when she was hired as the LSU Tiger’s head coach in 2019.
In that same season she and her husband, former NFL running back, Justin were expecting their first child.
News she couldn’t wait to share with her team.
“I remember sitting around the huddle and I waited and announced it to them and I said, “Look, you can’t be running up my blood pressure, I don’t need to be fussing at you guys, I need you guys to be a little bit more coachable, because I’m pregnant,” exclaimed Fargas. “And then the whole team was like, “Aaah!” They started laughing and it was such a good time.”
Fargas had her daughter, Justice, just 48 hours after the SEC Tournament. During her brief time away from the team, she relied heavily on her assistants, just as Coach Caldwell will.
“I would say it’s also a fun experience to share that with your staff. I’ll say I had an amazing staff. And you can see how much Kim Caldwell’s staff has really stepped up and are taking on that leadership role that you need. They may have to hear their voices a little bit more. They might have to be a little bit more attentive to the players and not saying Coach Caldwell isn’t, but that’s why you have great assistants. That’s what they do for you,” said Fargas.
Fargas returned to the team just days later and coached the Tigers to the second round of the NCAA Tournament and finished with 23 wins on the year.
Her confidence to coach while pregnant and quickly return after giving birth was in part a reflection of seeing her late coach do so.
“She instilled in us that you can be both,” said Fargas. “You can be this mom, this wife, but also you can have a career. She was a living testimony on how you can be successful doing both.”
As for her words of encouragement for Coach Caldwell, she had two important things to remember.
“I would say, find time to sleep,” said Fargas. “Swaddle is a big thing, make sure you swaddle.” Though, maybe most importantly, “Anyone that’s been around my child knows that it took a village. They know that I needed more hands to help. I needed those, my grandmother was there she was great. Just make sure you have that support staff around you.”