Tennessee women's basketball rebuilds around speed and staff unity

Tennessee women's basketball is running a fundamentally different style of play this season. Head coach Kim Caldwell has abandoned the slow, half-court sets that defined last year's campaign. Instead, the team now plays at a fast tempo, mirroring the systems Caldwell used at smaller schools like Glenville State and Marshall. The goal is to return to scoring averages above 90 points per game, a mark her earlier teams consistently hit.

The change follows a difficult 2025-26 season that ended with a first-round exit from the NCAA tournament and 14 total losses. The team suffered blowouts to unranked opponents, including Mississippi State, UConn, and South Carolina. Following the loss to South Carolina, Caldwell admitted her players had a lot of quit in them, a comment that signaled her frustration with the team's energy.

The roster turnover was complete. Every player from last season entered the transfer portal. Despite the upheaval, athletic director Danny White kept Caldwell in place. He told her repeatedly to be who she is, emphasizing that the aim is not just improvement but a return to the program's historical heights established under Pat Summit.

Recruiting priorities shifted from raw talent to specific fit. Although Tennessee signed three McDonald's All-Americans in the 2025 class, Caldwell felt they did not align perfectly with her system. This year, the staff conducted deep background checks. They spoke with former coaches and parents to ensure new players could handle adversity and share playing time in frequent rotations. The new roster includes 13 players from the transfer portal.

A key part of the reset involved the coaching staff. Former NBA coach Jeff Van Gundy called Caldwell after watching her press conference following the South Carolina loss. He advised her that the team would only be as connected as her staff. In response, Caldwell brought in a communication specialist to help staff and players understand each other's work styles. Assistant coach Jenna Burdette noted that the players are working harder than ever.

The new group has shown early promise. Maryland transfer Kaylene Smikle has emerged as a key scorer, thriving in the faster pace. Forward Fatmata Janneh also joined the roster, relating to Caldwell's own journey of being overlooked before finding success at a major program. The team has started the season 3-0 with wins over Duquesne, Coppin State, and New Haven.

Caldwell remains aware that the current results have not yet tested the team against elite competition. She views losing as a necessary building block rather than total failure. The focus now is on execution and maintaining unity as the season progresses.