The Kim Caldwell System

[LadyVolsDiehard]

We really need her and Civil to start showing us some ability. Civil has been good in limited play went 0 for 4 yesterday. Prawl is having a terrible season her offense has just not been present this season thus far. We have to get some offense from somewhere other than the three or four that are providing most of it.

Civil and Mia have shown they are the main ones that can play this system. Civil's athleticism and explosiveness is what Kim wants what's missing is her scoring punch. Deniya needs another gear. She's not quick enough yet especially if she's suppose to occupy the Ruby role and that's being the cutter and slasher to the rim.

 

[chuckiepoo]

Here is the irony of this system to my uneducated BB eyes. Last yrs team, with half the roster of players that supposedly were not athletically suited to play Kim's system, played it a lot better than this yr.'s team that is full of athletic players.

You could say last yrs team just had more experienced players but most of the players on this team are experienced players. The lack of BB fundamentals??

The experience on this team is largely players that were never front line players, Nya being the exception.

 

[chuckiepoo]

Kim needs a DC

… underated post right here…

 

[VA_VOLFAN]

In other news … I don’t know the level of competition but 14-0 seems good. Her players play hard ! Did we have a shot at Molly Miller?

 

[chuckiepoo]

She doesn’t make substations according to the game, she just has them on a time clock, and the subs just come in at a certain time.

That would involved coaching adjustments contrary to the system. She’ll learn. She has one of the best resources in college basketball at her disposal. Will she humble herself to seek…

 

[VolRanch]

In other news … I don’t know the level of competition but 14-0 seems good. Her players play hard ! Did we have a shot at Molly Miller?

View attachment 799973

Arizona State Sun Devils 2025-26 Regular Season NCAAW Schedule - ESPN

ESPN has the full 2025-26 Arizona State Sun Devils Regular Season NCAAW schedule. Includes game times, TV listings and ticket information for all Sun Devils games.

www.espn.com

Appears to be pretty cupcakey

 

[Hbg]

One might ask what this team does well.

 

[RespectAPA]

My gut is that the biggest problem is not what happens on the court for 40 minutes, in of itself, but in what happens between each game.

We hav a young, still fresh out of D2 coach, with D2 ideas about strength and conditioning, playing in a league with SEC ideas about how you develop a team to win at the top of the women's basketball world. And instead of inheriting the best minds of the S&C world college sports has to offer, to help her out on these things -- exercise, nutrition, what to do and what not to do, etc. -- instead our S&C director is someone she worked with at Glenville, who had a single year at WVU before Kim brought him to Tennessee, so it seems like our S&C is very much so Mountain East Conference.

We had a self-admitted conditioning breakdown last season that lead to blowout losses... is it crazy to think that we're still experiencing the symptoms of D2 S&C at a major D1 school? That seeming effort issues from Zee and Coop ar a symptom of them managing to do what their bodies can do under the stress of coach demanding 30 minutes out of them every game in an energy-mandated system?

[I've talked about this before, so I apologize for rehashing, but the fact that she was open about S&C being a big problem for us validated my early season concerns about what happens behind the scenes]

I hope I'm wrong, because it's a dreadful diagnosis. If the way they practice and the way CKC and staff develop their bodies is flawed, then anything we change about the system game-to-game is just going to be a bandaid on a pretty serious issue. And if means that, even tho everything we do on the court when we're actually running the system fully is analytically sound (shoot 3s and rebound misses, don't let your opponent walk the ball up for free, actually respecting your bench players as D1 athletes who will giv 100% when they're out there) if everything we do in-between games is below baseline SEC level, then we'll continue to lose to bigger, stronger teams even if everything thing else we're doing is right. Which I earnestly believe it is the right approach in-game, but I realize that in doing "everything else right" (as I do think), CKC has risen to this level at such a breakneck speed that she didn't actually hav time to develop as a coach who is an true equal to her peers in coaching ability. We may hav simply hired her too quickly...

She has an elite system imo -- but she's still a D2 coach. A young D2 coach. But if she can get thru these trials and tribulations, she still has such a high peak ahead of her as she learns to adjust to coaching at this level, and learns the particular quirks of the P4 WBB world.

It's as chuckie says, tho. We hav all the resources in the world for her -- but will she seek them out? And worse, in adjusting to this season's woes, will she sacrifice the things that she's doing right, yet keep the things she's doing wrong? It's easy to blame what you do in-between 40 minutes entirely on what happens in 40 minutes, but everything else is just as important -- if not more! If she makes that mistake, then we'd be in for a truly awful SEC slate that might cut her UT career tragically short.

I'll have her, and our girls, in my prayers. Without doubt this will be a very difficult juncture for her. This job was certainly a blessing for Kim, but at the same time there's going to hardly be a *higher pressure job in the country. Comes with the LV legacy.

Go Lady Vols, Beat fLorida.

 

[chuckiepoo]

We do not have true bigs that like to play down low and rebound. We have flex players that play weak in the post area. They don't even go up strong for put backs or layups. Jersey has terrible shot form and Robertson needs to slow down a bit she rushs everything.

Jersey is grass fed, all alfalfa, no corn.

 

[chuckiepoo]

Arizona State Sun Devils 2025-26 Regular Season NCAAW Schedule - ESPN

ESPN has the full 2025-26 Arizona State Sun Devils Regular Season NCAAW schedule. Includes game times, TV listings and ticket information for all Sun Devils games.

www.espn.com

Appears to be pretty cupcakey

Cupcakey. I like it. Is that with creme cheese frosting?

 

[VolRanch]

My gut is that the biggest problem is not what happens on the court for 40 minutes, in of itself, but in what happens between each game.

We hav a young, still fresh out of D2 coach, with D2 ideas about strength and conditioning, playing in a league with SEC ideas about how you develop a team to win at the top of the women's basketball world. And instead of inheriting the best minds of the S&C world college sports has to offer, to help her out on these things -- exercise, nutrition, what to do and what not to do, etc. -- instead our S&C director is someone she worked with at Glenville, who had a single year at WVU before Kim brought him to Tennessee, so it seems like our S&C is very much so Mountain East Conference.

We had a self-admitted conditioning breakdown last season that lead to blowout losses... is it crazy to think that we're still experiencing the symptoms of D2 S&C at a major D1 school? That seeming effort issues from Zee and Coop ar a symptom of them managing to do what their bodies can do under the stress of coach demanding 30 minutes out of them every game?

[I've talked about this before, so I apologize for rehashing, but the fact that she was open about S&C being a big problem for us validated my early season concerns about what happens behind the scenes]

I hope I'm wrong, because it's a dreadful diagnosis. If the way they practice and the way CKC and staff develop their bodies is flawed, then anything we change about the system game-to-game is just going to be a bandaid on a pretty serious issue. And if means that, even tho everything we do on the court when we're actually running the system fully is analytically sound (shoot 3s and rebound misses, don't let your opponent walk the ball up for free, actually respecting your bench players as D1 athletes who giv 100% when they're out there vs. pushing 5-6 girls to play most of the 200 shared min) if everything we do in-between games is under SEC level, then we'll continue to lose to bigger, stronger teams even if everything thing else we're doing is right. Which I earnestly believe it is, but I realize that in doing "everything else right" (as I think), CKC has risen to this level at such a breakneck speed that she didn't actually hav time to develop as a coach who is an true equal to her peers in coaching ability. We may hav simply hired her too quickly.

She has an elite system imo -- but she's still a D2 coach. A young D2 coach. But if she can get thru these trials and tribulations, she still has such a high peak ahead of her as she learns to adjust to coaching at this level, and learns the particular quirks of the P4 WBB world.

It's as chuckie says, tho. We hav all the resources in the world for her -- but will she seek them out? And worse, in adjusting will she sacrifice the things that she's doing right, yet keep the things you're doing wrong? It's easy to blame what you do in-between 40 minutes entirely on what happens in 40 minutes, but everything else is just as -- if not more -- important. If she makes that mistake, then we're in for a truly awful SEC slate that might cut her UT career tragically short.

I'll have her, and our girls, in my prayers. Without doubt this will be a very difficult juncture for her. This job was certainly a blessing for Kim, but at the same time there's going to hardly be a lower pressure job in the country. Comes with the LV legacy.

Go Lady Vols, Beat fLorida.

You hear all the time about extremely high performing teams, especially in college sports about the S&C coaches/programs were a secret weapon for development. Great freaking post!!

 

[VolRanch]

Cupcakey. I like it. Is that with creme cheese frosting?

Death by chocolate

 

[Dak1219]

Ha, so we'll only play Tennessee teams, Glenville State, Marshall, a HBCU, UCLA and maybe Louisville in the challenge in non conference next season. I could see it.

Hopefully. Notice Kim Mulkey transfer portal recruiting and cupcake scheduling led her to a national championship in year two and from how LSU is currently looking, they have a great chance for a second title this year. Her little cupcake schedule has allowed her to develop and build the confidence of both her freshman and transfer players year over year and they are looking like one that could make a run for the title this year, right along with Uconn, of course. I got to watch them today and this is about one of the deepest Mulkey coached teams i've ever seen.

 

[LadyVolsDiehard]

In other news … I don’t know the level of competition but 14-0 seems good. Her players play hard ! Did we have a shot at Molly Miller?

View attachment 799973

I NEVER wanted her. I always found it weird how some just wanted her for her aesthetic than her coaching especially when KJH near the end as her run as coach. It got ... weird. Anyhow as for her coaching, she's 13-0. I don't know how much experience they have there outside of Pao(sp?) from LSU, but they too will tested as they'll have to deal with Iowa State, Baylor, Ok State, Texas Tech, Kansas and of course TCU. But congrats to them for buying into her system.

Cupcakey. I like it. Is that with creme cheese frosting?

Facts.

 

[OrangeBeachVol]

My gut is that the biggest problem is not what happens on the court for 40 minutes, in of itself, but in what happens between each game.

We hav a young, still fresh out of D2 coach, with D2 ideas about strength and conditioning, playing in a league with SEC ideas about how you develop a team to win at the top of the women's basketball world. And instead of inheriting the best minds of the S&C world college sports has to offer, to help her out on these things -- exercise, nutrition, what to do and what not to do, etc. -- instead our S&C director is someone she worked with at Glenville, who had a single year at WVU before Kim brought him to Tennessee, so it seems like our S&C is very much so Mountain East Conference.

We had a self-admitted conditioning breakdown last season that lead to blowout losses... is it crazy to think that we're still experiencing the symptoms of D2 S&C at a major D1 school? That seeming effort issues from Zee and Coop ar a symptom of them managing to do what their bodies can do under the stress of coach demanding 30 minutes out of them every game in an energy-mandated system?

[I've talked about this before, so I apologize for rehashing, but the fact that she was open about S&C being a big problem for us validated my early season concerns about what happens behind the scenes]

I hope I'm wrong, because it's a dreadful diagnosis. If the way they practice and the way CKC and staff develop their bodies is flawed, then anything we change about the system game-to-game is just going to be a bandaid on a pretty serious issue. And if means that, even tho everything we do on the court when we're actually running the system fully is analytically sound (shoot 3s and rebound misses, don't let your opponent walk the ball up for free, actually respecting your bench players as D1 athletes who will giv 100% when they're out there) if everything we do in-between games is below baseline SEC level, then we'll continue to lose to bigger, stronger teams even if everything thing else we're doing is right. Which I earnestly believe it is the right approach in-game, but I realize that in doing "everything else right" (as I do think), CKC has risen to this level at such a breakneck speed that she didn't actually hav time to develop as a coach who is an true equal to her peers in coaching ability. We may hav simply hired her too quickly...

She has an elite system imo -- but she's still a D2 coach. A young D2 coach. But if she can get thru these trials and tribulations, she still has such a high peak ahead of her as she learns to adjust to coaching at this level, and learns the particular quirks of the P4 WBB world.

It's as chuckie says, tho. We hav all the resources in the world for her -- but will she seek them out? And worse, in adjusting to this season's woes, will she sacrifice the things that she's doing right, yet keep the things she's doing wrong? It's easy to blame what you do in-between 40 minutes entirely on what happens in 40 minutes, but everything else is just as important -- if not more! If she makes that mistake, then we'd be in for a truly awful SEC slate that might cut her UT career tragically short.

I'll have her, and our girls, in my prayers. Without doubt this will be a very difficult juncture for her. This job was certainly a blessing for Kim, but at the same time there's going to hardly be a *higher pressure job in the country. Comes with the LV legacy.

Go Lady Vols, Beat fLorida.

Good post. We just don't know what's in her head but good point made she is still an inexperienced coach at this level and is just leaning on her 'system', because that is what she knows. She is learning by fire so its a process. Lets just hope she is open to changes when necessary.

 

[Volfan2012]

In other news … I don’t know the level of competition but 14-0 seems good. Her players play hard ! Did we have a shot at Molly Miller?

View attachment 799973

We would almost certainly be 14 and 0 with whom they have played thus far. I think it was a smart move by her to schedule like she did. They don't have a lot of power and are going to lose several games coming up still it make them look good right now to be undefeated.

 

[glv98]

Good post. We just don't know what's in her head but good point made she is still an inexperienced coach at this level and is just leaning on her 'system', because that is what she knows. She is learning by fire so its a process. Lets just hope she is open to changes when necessary.

Shouldn’t have to look far. She was wise to hire two assistants with years of SEC experience

 

[KnoxLikeUs]

I appreciate that! As I’ve said Tennessee’s roster has all the pieces and should be contending for a SEC & NCAA title. This system is a setback to the players and program after seeing it implemented 100% over the past 20 months.
Another thing that came to mind today is, I remember when Nick Saban coached at Michigan State before LSU and Alabama. He evolved his system from one program to the next. Then look at Phil Jackson. The connection here is while Coach Phil Jackson ran the triangle offense, he ran different variations with the Bulls and the Lakers.
I respect Coach Caldwell.. the issue is you can’t run the same variation of a system at Glenville State and Tennessee. Regardless of what a few have stated here, nothing about the system has been changed. The principles are the same. Adding a tag to a full court press is not changing the system. In year 2, continuing to rely on post players shooting 3s and pressing/trapping in the backcourt the full length of the court with a guard trying to protect the paint in a 5 in and 5 out system is not altering the system.

Great assessment

 

[MsSportsGuy]

I was cautiously optimistic about Caldwell's hire. Her unorthodox approach and emphasis on offense seemed to be something the program needed to get back to the top of the sport.

I was in TBA in February when I saw them defeat UConn. I also read about some head scratching losses that made no sense. Overall it was a first year coach learning the big leagues and those things happen.

I will point out that Kim's system took Marshall to a Sun Belt title and NCAA birth before they were blown out by a very good Va Tech team. Perhaps that should have been a sign that her approach might not work so well for upper tier competition but she's the coach of the LVs now and is responsible for the program.

Stubbornness to adjust cost Pat a few wins in her time and likely cost Holly and Kellie their jobs. I'd like to see Kim be successful here and maybe she will but I don't see how she can keep sticking with what's clearly not working.

 

[krichunaka]

I NEVER wanted her. I always found it weird how some just wanted her for her aesthetic than her coaching especially when KJH near the end as her run as coach. It got ... weird. Anyhow as for her coaching, she's 13-0. I don't know how much experience they have there outside of Pao(sp?) from LSU, but they too will tested as they'll have to deal with Iowa State, Baylor, Ok State, Texas Tech, Kansas and of course TCU. But congrats to them for buying into her system.

Facts.

Interesting development in Arizona. And, of course, they will be challenged, and defeated. Happens all the time. Regardless of what the coach looks like.

Molly Miller is certainly pretty, even beautiful. I have no problem with that. Nor do I find it weird that some fans would prefer a pretty coach. We have one. Actually, I think all our coaches since the 1970s were good looking. The first thing my wife said when she first saw Coach Kim was, "She's gorgeous." I don't disagree.

I recall reading here that Miller was actually evaluated, and perhaps even interviewed by us, but apparently found lacking. I believe that she will continue to be successful. IF, She Can Recruit!

 

[Rooster1]

I NEVER wanted her. I alw ays found it weird how some just wanted her for her aesthetic than her coaching especially when KJH near the end as her run as coach. It got ... weird. Anyhow as for her coaching, she's 13-0. I don't know how much experience they have there outside of Pao(sp?) from LSU, but they too will tested as they'll have to deal with Iowa State, Baylor, Ok State, Texas Tech, Kansas and of course TCU. But congrats to them for buying into her system.

Facts.

What was her track record as a coach prior to this year?

 

[Scotty4lvs]

And go back and look at those losses. Most were by HIGHER ranked teams and soooooo close.

Texas by 8 and 4
LSU by 2 and 5
Oklahoma by 1


Now I know, gotta win big games, gotta finish.

But damn year 1 and already doing that.

Man last year was fun lol

This is why I am convinced the issue this year so far is personalities and chemistry more so than system! I think it is a tough group to begin with and then Ruby... The system has it's flaws and limitations but it was a breath away from some awfully big wins last year on more than one occasion. This year is just different...

 

[chuckiepoo]

This is why I am convinced the issue this year so far is personalities and chemistry more so than system! I think it is a tough group to begin with and then Ruby... The system has it's flaws and limitations but it was a breath away from some awfully big wins last year on more than one occasion. This year is just different...

There definitely seems to be an intrasquad trust issue. Having low assists coupled with low % is not a formula for success. Need to see the ball make it through the hole a little more often.

 

[ncteacher88]

Have any other lower division coaches won big with the system? Im genuinely curious.

A little division one college called Quinnipiac used to use this same strategy and achieved relative success. I believe they called it a gold rush, or something similar. They were definitely undermanned but in 2017 they made it to the Sweet 16 before losing to number one seed South Carolina in a nailbiter (OK that part is not true). I watched them defeat the number four and number five seeds and was pretty impressed with their team.

 

[Ovol]

Good question and her reluctance to change what they are doing is very annoying. Hope that changes as she goes on.

“I was hired to do this,” says Caldwell, now 36, perched on a couch in her office shortly before the start of the season. “If this is what you want me to come here and do, then I’m going to come here and do it. If you want me to come here and do something else, I’m not the person for the job.”

Kim Caldwell Believes in Her Unconventional Basketball Style—And So Does Tennessee

The second-year coach runs a fast-paced system with "hockey subs" that some might think is gimmicky, but is the bold strategy the school was looking for.

www.si.com