Kim Caldwell, coach of the Lady Vols, discusses growing up and witnessing the rivalry between Tennessee and UConn

Kim Caldwell didn’t grow up in the spotlight of college basketball, but her roots are intertwined with the history of the sport. From a young age, she was a basketball fan, watching as two powerhouses, the University of Tennessee Lady Volunteers and the University of Connecticut Huskies, transformed women’s college basketball into a must-watch spectacle. Caldwell recalls the electric atmosphere that surrounded the games, not just for those directly involved in the sport, but for casual fans who understood that when these two teams met, history was on the line.

“Back then, the rivalry between Tennessee and UConn wasn’t just about wins and losses. It was about showcasing the strength of women’s basketball,” says Caldwell. “It was one of those rivalries that elevated the entire sport. People were tuning in, not just for the competition, but to see the best players and coaches in the country go head-to-head. Pat Summitt, Gino Auriemma—they defined the era, and their battles symbolized a shift in how women’s sports were viewed.”

The Rivalry’s Origins: Pat Summitt and Gino Auriemma

The rivalry between Tennessee and UConn traces its roots to the early 1990s, when both programs began to dominate women’s college basketball in a way that had never been seen before. The foundation of this competition was laid by two of the most iconic coaches in the sport: Pat Summitt of Tennessee and Gino Auriemma of UConn. Their coaching prowess, competitive nature, and passion for the game made every matchup between their teams an event.

For Caldwell, growing up during this era meant seeing the Titans of women’s basketball clash regularly. She fondly remembers watching Summitt’s teams, known for their relentless defense and strong team-oriented play, and UConn’s fast-paced, high-scoring offense under Auriemma. Tennessee and UConn had contrasting styles, but both were driven by a desire to be the best, and that drove their rivalry to the heights of college basketball.

Caldwell grew up in a household where basketball was a constant conversation, and the rivalry was always at the center. Her parents, both avid basketball fans, would eagerly gather in front of the TV whenever Tennessee and UConn squared off. Caldwell recalls the tension in the air as both teams took to the court, knowing that the stakes were high.

“Those games were more than just a rivalry—they were a battle for supremacy in women’s basketball. You had two coaches who understood the game on such a deep level. Every time they faced off, you knew you were going to see something special,” she says. “And it wasn’t just about the X’s and O’s; it was about the culture of these programs. Tennessee was about grit, toughness, and defense, while UConn brought a level of finesse and speed that made them lethal. It was the perfect clash of styles.”

A New Generation of Players: Caldwell’s Rise and UConn’s Dominance

Caldwell herself was not yet a player in college basketball when the rivalry reached its peak, but by the time she played, UConn had already solidified its place as a powerhouse. As a young player watching the rivalry from the sidelines, Caldwell admired the players who had previously stepped into the limelight, such as Chamique Holdsclaw, the star of the Lady Vols in the late 1990s, and players like Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi from UConn. These women represented the future of the sport, and Caldwell saw them as models of excellence.

“When I was younger, I would watch Chamique Holdsclaw, and I wanted to emulate her style of play,” says Caldwell. “She had this toughness to her, but she also had the ability to take over games. She was a great scorer, but also a fantastic rebounder. I wanted to bring that intensity to the floor. At the same time, I watched Diana Taurasi at UConn, and she was the ultimate competitor. The confidence and swagger she played with was something I admired, and I learned that being confident is one of the most important things a player can have.”

As Caldwell developed as a player, the rivalry continued to grow. By the time she was at the University of Tennessee, the Lady Vols were competing for championships year after year, but UConn had begun to pull ahead in terms of titles. UConn’s dominance in the early 2000s, fueled by Taurasi, Bird, and later players like Tina Charles, left Tennessee constantly striving to keep pace. Caldwell, witnessing the rise of UConn’s program, understood that the Lady Vols needed to make adjustments to compete with Auriemma’s squad.

Coaching Under the Shadow of the Rivalry

As Caldwell transitioned from player to coach, the rivalry continued to serve as a major influence on her understanding of women’s college basketball. When she was hired as an assistant coach for the Lady Vols, she quickly realized that she would be following in the footsteps of a legendary coach in Pat Summitt, whose influence on the program and the sport had been unparalleled. Summitt’s coaching philosophy, centered around discipline, defense, and teamwork, was a legacy that Caldwell felt privileged to continue.

Caldwell was also acutely aware of the shadow of UConn that loomed over the program. UConn, under Auriemma’s leadership, was a perennial powerhouse, and while Tennessee had its own storied history, there was no denying that UConn had surpassed them in terms of championships and dominance during the 2000s. Caldwell recalls feeling the weight of the rivalry as she began her coaching career.

“I knew coming into Tennessee as a coach that the rivalry with UConn was something we couldn’t ignore,” she says. “It was always going to be there. It wasn’t just about X’s and O’s, it was about the culture of the programs and the expectations that came with it. UConn had raised the bar, and we needed to do everything we could to match that level of excellence.”

The Evolution of the Rivalry: A New Era for Women’s Basketball

As Caldwell has continued to develop in her coaching career, she has witnessed a shift in the rivalry between Tennessee and UConn. While the intensity of their matchups remains unmatched, there is now a growing awareness of the larger landscape of women’s college basketball. Programs like Stanford, South Carolina, and Baylor have risen to challenge UConn and Tennessee for supremacy, creating an environment where competition is fierce from all corners.

“The rivalry is still special, but I think women’s college basketball is now at a point where there are multiple programs competing for championships,” Caldwell explains. “UConn and Tennessee set the standard for what success in women’s basketball looks like, but now we’re seeing other teams step up to the plate. South Carolina is a prime example of a program that has been able to break through and win national titles. That makes the landscape even more exciting, because you know that every game, especially in March, will be a battle.”

Caldwell’s focus as a coach is not just about maintaining the legacy of the Lady Vols but about building a team that can compete in today’s fast-evolving basketball environment. She believes that the rivalry with UConn will continue to be a defining feature of women’s college basketball but that it’s important to recognize the broader trends in the sport. For Caldwell, this is a challenge she is eager to take on.

“We have a proud tradition here at Tennessee, but we also know we’re part of a larger, evolving movement in women’s basketball,” she says. “It’s not just about UConn anymore. Every team that steps on the floor has something to prove. And I think that’s what makes the game so exciting right now. Every program is hungry for that next championship, and the competition is only getting better.”