Why Kim Caldwell wants to get back to blue-collar culture with Lady Vols

KINGSPORT –  Kim Caldwell hasn't had much time to reflect on the last three months as Lady Vols basketball coach, but she's proud of her perseverance through the most adversity she's faced yet in her young career. In the month of April, Caldwell lost her entire roster and rebuilt it . That's in addition to the challenges of a season that didn't meet anyone's expectations.

"I think that resilience is something I was proud of and being able to keep your head up high," Caldwell said April 30 at the Big Orange Caravan stop at Meadowview Convention Center. "And trying to continue to learn about the things, mistakes on the floor, off the floor, all-around, will be a summer-long evaluation for me. " Athletic director Danny White called Caldwell a soldier with the way she carried herself through "a brutal set of circumstances.

" "I thought she handled it really well, and most importantly, sprinted toward decisions that needed to be made," White said. "In a leadership role that can be hard to do, particularly when sometimes they're difficult decisions. She didn't run from it, and I think we've landed in a really, really good spot, both from a player standpoint and with our coaching staff.

" But one thing Caldwell is sure of is getting back to a stronger blue-collar culture. That's the identity that had always driven her previous programs, and she said it's something she has to be very intentional about at Tennessee, or it will "sneak up on you, how spoiled you get. " Caldwell included, she admitted.