Caldwell's Second Year Blueprint

[Rickster]

Things are just starting over on Rocky Top.

"Year two under Kim Caldwell isn’t about rebuilding — it’s about winning. The Lady Vols return a veteran nucleus in Talaysia Cooper, Alyssa Latham, Zee Spearman, Kaiya Winn, Kaniya Boyd, and Ruby Whitehorn, giving Tennessee a foundation that’s both seasoned and skilled. Add in proven transfers Janiah Barker (UCLA), Jersey Wolfenbarger (LSU), and Nya Robertson (SMU), and suddenly the rotation looks as deep as any in the SEC.​

Then comes the exclamation point: the freshman class. ......"​

 

[KnoxLikeUs]

Glad to see the regular and some new sportswriters covering the LV basketball team this preseason but I got to say those 2025 player rankings are flat out wrong. Next time reference ESPN to get the correct rankings from atleast one major recruiting service. They got to do their homework before publishing these write-ups lol GBO!

 

[1morevol]

I've got to admit the turnaround has happened far more quickly than I envisioned, especially the recruiting. Excited to see what the Lady Vols might accomplish this season.

 

[stllvf]

between now and middle november, many rewritten articles that boarders on this site have read over and over, and many could have written the above. the u-tube recruitment articles on Big O are the same rehash. If you doubt, go to one of the AI sites and put in players and variables re the LVs coming season and ask for a positive article on the coming season.

 

[glv98]

I've got to admit the turnaround has happened far more quickly than I envisioned, especially the recruiting. Excited to see what the Lady Vols might accomplish this season.

$$$$$$$$$$$ and an AD that believes in her make a huge difference.

Also, the basis of it all seems to be Kim's humble and wise early decision to hire Gabe. Not threatened by him at all and self aware enough to know what she didnt know. For him, it meant pairing up his obvious recruiting prowess and established SEC contacts with finally having the financial resources and all the rest of the tools. The magic followed.

I doubt Gabe will be an assistant for long but he and Kim have already righted the recruiting ship for the foreseeable future. Good on em!

 

[HerdLVol]

$$$$$$$$$$$ and an AD that believes in her make a huge difference.

Also, the basis of it all seems to be Kim's humble and wise early decision to hire Gabe. Not threatened by him at all and self aware enough to know what she didnt know. For him, it meant pairing up his obvious recruiting prowess and established SEC contacts with finally having the financial resources and all the rest of the tools. The magic followed.

I doubt Gabe will be an assistant for long but he and Kim have already righted the recruiting ship for the foreseeable future. Good on em!

While I agree that Gabe will get offered, I’m not certain he is head coach material. Recruiting is one thing. The buck stops here is a horse of a different color. I like him a lot. And it’s just a feeling. And we all have examples of folks that were great at what they did. But failed at head coaching. I hope he stays here. But also wish him the best whatever he does.

 

[glv98]

While I agree that Gabe will get offered, I’m not certain he is head coach material. Recruiting is one thing. The buck stops here is a horse of a different color. I like him a lot. And it’s just a feeling. And we all have examples of folks that were great at what they did. But failed at head coaching. I hope he stays here. But also wish him the best whatever he does.

I think you’re wishful thinking. You’re absolutely right, he may or may not be successful at it. But I’ll bet he gets, and accepts, offers to give it a try relatively soon.

 

[chuckiepoo]

I think that’s a tough position to support. I don’t think it would necessarily be a good decision to make a move just because he’s seeking a head coaching position.

Now if the offer were to come from a program with a storied history, plenty of NIL support, a supportive athletic department, I’d say he’d scoot and I’d wish him the best.

There are a number of Lady Vols for Life out there with cautionary tales to share.

 

[glv98]

I think that’s a tough position to support. I don’t think it would necessarily be a good decision to make a move just because he’s seeking a head coaching position.

Now if the offer were to come from a program with a storied history, plenty of NIL support, a supportive athletic department, I’d say he’d scoot and I’d wish him the best.

There are a number of Lady Vols for Life out there with cautionary tales to share.

We’ll see. He may not even be interested in being a head coach. Or, he could be in the now or never phase of his career. I still bet he’ll get a chance to make that decision fairly soon.

 

[KnoxLikeUs]

Honestly, I don’t even know if the people pushing the narrative and trying to make it a topic of discussion mean so in the best interest of Coach Lazo.
You made a good point HerVol.
I’ll add this isn’t even specific to his career or decision when the time comes but I’ve seen people excel in their current role outside of a head coaching position across many sports and never have that same success as a head coach.
Truth is, everyone can be replaced.

While I agree that Gabe will get offered, I’m not
certain he is head coach material. Recruiting is one thing. The buck stops here is a horse of a different color. I like him a lot. And it’s just a feeling. And we all have examples of folks that were great at what they did. But failed at head coaching. I hope he stays here. But also wish him the best whatever he does.

 

[chuckiepoo]

trying to make it a topic of discussion

Trying? This is far from the first time this topic has been discussed. It has qualified itself as a topic of conversation and does not require your affirmation.

Anytime you are part of a successful staff you potentially will be recruited for positions within or leading other programs.

Personally? I would hate to see him leave but I’m pretty sure Kim has the resources to, as you mentioned, find an adequate replacement.

 

[glv98]

Trying? This is far from the first time this topic has been discussed. It has qualified itself as a topic of conversation and does not require your affirmation.

Anytime you are part of a successful staff you potentially will be recruited for positions within or leading other programs.

Personally? I would hate to see him leave but I’m pretty sure Kim has the resources to, as you mentioned, find an adequate replacement.

Thank you. I made sure to say in the original post that even if he does leave, they’ve already reversed the course on recruiting.

 

[KnoxLikeUs]

That foundation that was built in year 1 with the senior class and returnees was a special season.
Now Coach Caldwell, this group of players, the staff, and athletic administration seem to be poised to set themselves up to be in position to contend for SEC and NCAA championships in year 2.
GBO!!!

Things are just starting over on Rocky Top.

"Year two under Kim Caldwell isn’t about rebuilding — it’s about winning. The Lady Vols return a veteran nucleus in Talaysia Cooper, Alyssa Latham, Zee Spearman, Kaiya Winn, Kaniya Boyd, and Ruby Whitehorn, giving Tennessee a foundation that’s both seasoned and skilled. Add in proven transfers Janiah Barker (UCLA), Jersey Wolfenbarger (LSU), and Nya Robertson (SMU), and suddenly the rotation looks as deep as any in the SEC.​

Then comes the exclamation point: the freshman class. ......"​

 

[chuckiepoo]

That foundation that was built in year 1 with the senior class and returnees was a special season.
Now Coach Caldwell, this group of players, the staff, and athletic administration seem to be poised to set themselves up to be in position to contend for SEC and NCAA championships in year 2.
GBO!!!

Thank you for the course correction!

 

[KnoxLikeUs]

I believe once I saw how players such as Jewel Spear and Samara Spencer four and five year starters in the ACC and SEC spoke highly of Coach Caldwell from Day 1 that CKC was a top tier coach. The best coaches surround themselves with the best coaching staff and players. That’s the bottom line.
I agree with you I’m excited about what this team can accomplish this season.
GBO!!!

I've got to admit the turnaround has happened far more quickly than I envisioned, especially the recruiting. Excited to see what the Lady Vols might accomplish this season.