Paul Finebaum Praises Kim Caldwell’s Well-Deserved Naismith Nomination, Calls Her First Year at Tennessee ‘One of the Most Impressive Coaching Performances’
Renowned sports analyst Paul Finebaum has heaped praise on Tennessee women’s basketball coach Kim Caldwell following her nomination for the prestigious Naismith Coach of the Year award. Finebaum described the honor as “well-deserved,” emphasizing Caldwell’s remarkable success in her first season at the helm of the Lady Vols program.
Caldwell, who took over the Tennessee program just a year ago, has quickly transformed the team into a dominant force. Under her leadership, the Lady Vols have not only secured significant wins but have also displayed a level of consistency and discipline that has impressed both fans and analysts. Finebaum, never one to hand out praise lightly, admitted that what Caldwell has achieved in such a short time is “one of the most impressive things I’ve seen from a female coach.”
Tennessee’s performances this season have positioned them as strong contenders in both conference and national play. Caldwell’s ability to instill a winning culture and elevate the program so quickly has turned heads, and her Naismith nomination only solidifies her status as one of the rising stars in coaching.
Finebaum noted that Caldwell’s impact goes beyond the win column. “She’s changed the entire energy of the program. You can see it in how the players compete, how they believe in themselves,” he said. “To come into a powerhouse program with high expectations and not only meet them but exceed them—she deserves all the recognition she’s getting.”
As the Naismith Coach of the Year award race heats up, Caldwell’s case remains strong. Whether or not she ultimately wins the honor, her influence on Tennessee women’s basketball is undeniable. With Finebaum’s endorsement adding to the growing support for her candidacy, Caldwell’s rise as a top-tier coach is only just beginning.
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