Tennessee Athletics Faces Multiple NCAA Violations

Miscues include Lady Vols recruiting, accidental email, and more

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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The University of Tennessee athletics department reported six minor NCAA violations in the second half of 2025, including issues with Lady Vols basketball recruiting, a cross-country coach's interaction with a recruit, a swim coach's accidental 'reply all' email, and a mix-up over a recruit's eligibility clearance. While considered Level III infractions, these violations highlight the complex and convoluted nature of NCAA rules.

Why it matters

Tennessee's NCAA violations, while relatively minor, underscore the challenges athletic departments face in navigating the NCAA's extensive rulebook. These incidents could lead to penalties and further scrutiny of the university's compliance efforts, potentially impacting recruiting, practice time, and other aspects of the school's sports programs.

The details

The violations included: a Lady Vols basketball staff member exceeding the limit of four off-campus recruiters; a cross-country coach greeting a 2027 recruit, which is not allowed; a swim coach accidentally emailing a recruit in a 'reply all'; and a mix-up over a recruit's eligibility clearance. Tennessee self-reported the violations and implemented various penalties, such as recruiting restrictions and additional staff training.

  • In July 2025, the Lady Vols basketball staff exceeded the limit of four off-campus recruiters during evaluation periods.
  • In June 2025, a cross-country assistant coach greeted a 2027 recruit, which is not permitted under NCAA rules.
  • Last summer, a swim coach accidentally sent a 'reply all' email to a recruit, violating contact rules.

The players

Kim Caldwell

Head coach of the Lady Vols basketball team.

Tennessee Compliance Director

A staff member who approved a recruit with the same name as the intended recruit, leading to a clearance issue.

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What they’re saying

“Great job!”

— Tennessee Cross-Country Assistant Coach

What’s next

The NCAA will likely review Tennessee's self-imposed penalties and determine if any additional sanctions are warranted. The university will also need to ensure its compliance staff is fully trained on the latest NCAA regulations to avoid future violations.

The takeaway

These NCAA violations, while relatively minor, highlight the complexity of the rulebook and the need for constant vigilance by athletic departments to ensure they are in full compliance. Tennessee's proactive approach in self-reporting and implementing corrective measures is a positive step, but the incidents underscore the challenges faced by college sports programs in navigating the NCAA's extensive regulations.