Kim Caldwell Returns to the Sidelines Just a Week After Giving Birth

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – In a moment of resilience and dedication, Tennessee Lady Vols head coach Kim Caldwell made an inspiring return to the court on Monday night, just one week after giving birth to her first child, Conor Scott. The crowd of 12,033 at Thompson-Boling Arena gave Caldwell a rousing standing ovation as she walked onto the sidelines, signaling her triumphant return.

Caldwell, 36, missed only one game—a hard-fought 80-76 loss against No. 7 Texas—before resuming her duties with the Lady Vols. Her return was marked by a spirited matchup against No. 2 South Carolina, led by head coach Dawn Staley. Although Tennessee fell 70-63, Caldwell’s presence was a testament to her commitment to her team and her passion for the game.

A Swift Return to Coaching

Walking briskly down the sideline before the game, Caldwell waved to the crowd and exchanged handshakes with Staley, who was quick to acknowledge her colleague’s determination.

“Women have the strength of 10 men,” Staley remarked.

Despite some postpartum restrictions, Caldwell displayed her trademark energy on the sidelines. However, she admitted that her voice wasn’t at full strength yet.

“It was hard for me to yell,” she shared during the post-game press conference. “My players and staff helped me with that.”

Caldwell’s determination to return so quickly was motivated by her strong bond with her players.

“I love my team,” she said. “I ask a lot of them, so I made sure I would give my best to them.”

Balancing Motherhood and Coaching

Caldwell’s ability to juggle the demands of coaching and motherhood drew admiration from her players and fans alike. Lady Vols senior Samara Spencer praised her coach, saying,

“We have to be willing to give up everything, but having a baby is very, very hard.”

Caldwell, laughing, nodded in agreement but admitted the adrenaline of the game carried her through.

“Out there on the floor, the adrenaline kicked in. I’ll find out how bad it really is when I finally settle down.”

Lady Vols’ Season So Far

Caldwell’s return comes during a challenging stretch for the Lady Vols, who are now 15-5 overall and 3-5 in the Southeastern Conference. Monday night’s loss extended Tennessee’s losing streak to three games. However, the team remains optimistic, bolstered by Caldwell’s leadership and determination.

With Caldwell back at the helm, the Lady Vols look to bounce back in their upcoming matchups as they aim to climb higher in the conference standings and the national rankings.