Tennessee Lady Vols Coach Kim Caldwell Announces Maternity Leave
KNOXVILLE, TN – Tennessee Lady Volunteers basketball head coach Kim Caldwell announced she will be taking a maternity leave, beginning May 2nd. The announcement comes three months after Caldwell gave birth to her first child, son Conor Scott Caldwell, on January 20th. Caldwell, 36, made the announcement during a stop on the Big Orange Caravan tour.
“My maternity leave starts tomorrow after finishing this,” Caldwell stated at the Kingsport stop of the caravan. She emphasized her gratitude for the opportunity to have experienced the whirlwind first season as coach while simultaneously managing the demands of motherhood, acknowledging the intensity of returning to work just three days postpartum. “I obviously made the choice that I made to come back right away. I was in practice three days after giving birth. That might be right. That may be wrong. I don’t know, but that’s what I felt like I needed to do.”
Caldwell’s commitment to both her career and her family is evident in her decision to take a leave of absence. While she plans to maintain some level of involvement, she intends to prioritize establishing a consistent routine with her son. “I’ll still be on the phone some. But I will be around my son. I’m looking forward to starting a routine with him,” she explained. “I’ve brought him to practices. I’ve brought him to the office a lot since our games have finished. That’s been great since our schedule has slowed a little. But I’m going to be with him and start a routine. We’ll travel a little bit and try to get our feet under us and then get back to it.”
During Caldwell’s leave, her coaching staff will assume her day-to-day responsibilities. Caldwell acknowledged the challenge of fully detaching from her work, given her strong work ethic, but expressed her intention to remain disciplined in prioritizing her son. “I’m going to try not to (work as much), and I’ll probably still take (my son) when I go in,” she said. “So much (of the job) now is that you’re just on the phone. You’re connecting with people. So I’ll probably go in (to the office) a little bit. I’ve tried to tell myself that I’m not going to, but I also know who I am.”
Caldwell’s husband, Justin Caldwell, who serves as the player development coordinator for the Tennessee men’s basketball team, will undoubtedly play a crucial supportive role during this period. Her thoughtful and balanced approach to balancing her career and motherhood marks a significant moment, showcasing a commitment to prioritizing family without neglecting her professional responsibilities. The Lady Vols program will undoubtedly support her during her leave, ensuring a smooth transition and operational continuity during her absence.
