The line to enter Orange Mountain Designs filled the sidewalks of the West Knoxville store as Lady Vols fans had the first chance to meet Kim Caldwell and her five assistant coaches on Thursday evening.

For the next 1.5 hours, the staff signed hundreds of autographs from posters to basketballs to apparel, posed for photos and chatted with fans.

The event at the retail store dedicated to all things Lady Vols came after news this week that Caldwell, and her husband, Justin, were expecting their first child. The coach’s words on social media certainly hinted that the baby was a surprise: Faith in God includes faith in His timing. Baby Caldwell coming winter 2025.

Social media photo via Kim Caldwell of baby announcement.

Tennessee and SEC coaches, including former Lady Vols Nikki Fargas and Alex Simmons, have been adept at having a child – or preparing for arrival – during the season in a story that can be read HERE.

September workouts are in full go for the basketball team, and Caldwell has made it clear that her teams push tempo. The strength and conditioning sessions for the players over the last few months have been intense and demanding.

“It was tough, and it’s continued to be tough,” Caldwell said. “The thing about playing for me is that once you meet the standard, we raise the standard. They are still working on that, and we condition and run a lot; they know that. We’ve had a lot of great alumni come in and tell them that it’s worth it. I think that that helps.”

One of those alums was Cierra Burdick who came to practice last week while on a promotional event at Dick’s Sporting Goods in a story covered HERE by Knox TN Today.

“The way y’all are defending, the way y’all are crashing the glass, that’s tough,” Burdick said after practicing with the team. “That’s what is going to win championships. That’s what this program was built on. Defense and rebounding. Y’all have that ability. Y’all have that gift. Don’t waste it.”

Based on the turnout at Orange Mountain Designs, fans are excited as are Caldwell and her staff. The line made its way through the store and into a lounge area that was full of chatter and laughter and fans of all ages.

Orange Mountain Designs

Kim Caldwell signs a poster at Orange Mountain Designs.

Caldwell’s staff includes Roman Tubner, who arrived as an assistant from Alabama, and Gabe Lazo, who was an assistant at Mississippi State.

Jenna Burdette coached with Caldwell at Marshall and Glenville State, as did Angel Rizor. Lexie Barrier came to Tennessee after coaching at James Madison, her alma mater, and played at Tennessee while in college. She also was at Marshall as an assistant one year before Caldwell arrived.

“I needed people that were energetic, people who knew a lot of skill work, and people who knew things that I didn’t,” Caldwell said. “I know I have some blind spots in the SEC and some people who have strong SEC, especially SEC recruiting, experience. I had a good core group that had been with me for a long time.”

Engaging in media interviews and very vocal on the court – see the clip below – is a good combination for a head coach.

The team also has responded well to the new staff in practice and on social media interactions.

“Every time I’m in the gym and I get to be coaching basketball, they make it great, and I think I hit the lottery with this team just because they are great people,” Caldwell said.

The Caldwell family will grow by one at the start of a new year, and the new arrival will have a team full of big sisters.

Maria M. Cornelius, a senior writer/editor at MoxCar Marketing + Communications since 2013, started her journalism career at the Knoxville News Sentinel and began writing about the Lady Vols in 1998. In 2016, she published her first book, “The Final Season: The Perseverance of Pat Summitt,” through The University of Tennessee Press.