Tennessee head coach Kim Caldwell will miss the Lady Vols’ game against Texas in Austin on Thursday night after the birth of her first child, Conor Caldwell, this week.
Tennessee’s social media team revealed the news on Thursday evening prior to the game against the Longhorns.
“Head coach Kim Caldwell did not accompany the Tennessee women’s basketball team to Austin for tonight’s game at Texas. She and her husband Justin are the proud parents of a new son, Conor Scott Caldwell. Mom, dad and baby are doing well. Assistant coach Jenna Burdette, who is in her fourth season working alongside Caldwell, will serve as the acting head coach in Caldwell’s absence.”
Justin Caldwell serves as the player development coordinator for Tennessee men’s basketball under head coach Rick Barnes.
— Lady Vols Basketball (@LadyVol_Hoops) January 24, 2025
More from RTI: Former Tennessee Basketball Wing Cam Carr Commits To Baylor
Tennessee is looking to bounce back from a last-second road loss against Vanderbilt last weekend in Nashville. The Lady Vols are 15-3 in Caldwell’s first season at the helm with their trio of losses coming by a combined four points.
The Longhorns present a stout challenge to go into the weekend, though. Texas has an 18-2 record with its only losses coming to No. 10 Notre Dame and No. 2 South Carolina as both games were on the road.
No. 7 Texas will host No. 17 Tennessee on Thursday night at 8:00 p.m. ET on ESPN.