In a remarkable debut season, Kim Caldwell, head coach of the Tennessee Lady Volunteers, has been honored with the 2025 Werner Ladder Naismith Women’s College Coach of the Year Award. This prestigious accolade, presented by the Atlanta Tipoff Club, recognizes the nation’s top women’s college basketball coach.
Caldwell’s leadership propelled the Lady Vols to a stellar 19-6 overall record, including a significant victory over perennial powerhouse UConn. Her strategic acumen and ability to inspire her team have been pivotal in Tennessee’s resurgence this season.
While the Naismith Coach of the Year Award itself does not carry a monetary prize, such national recognition often leads to contract enhancements and performance-based bonuses. For instance, South Carolina’s Dawn Staley, a previous recipient, secured a historic $25 million contract extension, underscoring the potential financial rewards associated with such honors.
Caldwell’s acknowledgment not only cements her status among coaching elites but also signals a bright future for the Lady Volunteers under her guidance.
