Lady Vols Basketball Suffers Historically Bad Season

Head coach Kim Caldwell cites addition of "Plan B" as contributing factor to team's struggles

Mar. 21, 2026 at 6:49am

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The University of Tennessee Lady Vols basketball team ended the 2025-26 season with the program's lowest win total since joining the NCAA. Head coach Kim Caldwell attributed the team's poor performance in part to the addition of a "Plan B" approach that disrupted the team's usual strategy and preparation.

Why it matters

The Lady Vols are one of the most storied women's basketball programs in the country, with 8 national championships. A historically bad season like this raises questions about the team's future direction and Caldwell's leadership.

The details

According to Caldwell, the decision to implement a "Plan B" approach midway through the season, which involved changing up the team's typical game plan and strategy, ultimately backfired and contributed to the team's struggles. The Lady Vols finished the season with a dismal record, marking the program's worst performance in the NCAA era.

  • The Lady Vols ended the 2025-26 season on Friday, March 21, 2026.

The players

Kim Caldwell

Head coach of the University of Tennessee Lady Vols basketball team.

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What they’re saying

“We thought adding a 'Plan B' would give us more options, but it ended up disrupting our usual preparation and strategy. In hindsight, it was the wrong move.”

— Kim Caldwell, Head Coach

The takeaway

The Lady Vols' historically bad season raises concerns about the program's direction and Caldwell's ability to lead the team back to its former success. The decision to implement a "Plan B" approach midway through the season appears to have backfired, underscoring the importance of sticking to a consistent strategy and preparation.