BOOM, SHE ACHIEVED IT AGAIN: Kim Caldwell Secures Second Maggie Dixon Award as Top First-Year Head Coach in Division I Women’s Basketball

In the ever-evolving world of college basketball, where turnover is rapid and expectations are sky-high, few stories shine as brightly as that of Kim Caldwell, who has once again made history. With a relentless drive, visionary coaching, and unmatched leadership, Caldwell has been named the recipient of the Maggie Dixon Award for the second time in her career — an extraordinary feat that cements her as one of the brightest coaching minds in women’s college basketball today.

This time, the honor comes after a record-setting debut season at the University of Tennessee, where Caldwell not only revived a proud program but elevated it to national prominence. The Maggie Dixon Award, presented annually by the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA), is reserved for the best first-year head coach in Division I women’s basketball — and Caldwell’s selection in 2025 marks a remarkable second recognition following her first win in 2017 when she burst onto the scene at Division II Glenville State.

Let’s dive deep into Caldwell’s astonishing 2024-25 campaign, her transformative leadership, the historical weight of this award, and what her second Maggie Dixon triumph means not just for Tennessee, but for the broader landscape of college hoops.

Kim Caldwell isn’t new to winning — she’s been doing it since the start. A native of Parkersburg, West Virginia, Caldwell took over at Glenville State in 2016 and quickly turned the Pioneers into a Division II powerhouse. In 2022, she led Glenville to a national championship with a 35-1 record, all while running one of the most fast-paced and exciting offenses in the country.

But her leap to Division I wasn’t just a matter of “if” — it was a matter of “when.”

In 2024, Tennessee, a program steeped in tradition but hungry for a resurgence, took the bold step of hiring Caldwell to replace Kellie Harper. It was a move that raised eyebrows at the time. Could a D-II coach really handle the pressure cooker that is Knoxville?

The answer, as it turns out, was a resounding yes.

Let the numbers speak:

Record: 29-5 overall, 15-1 in SEC play
NCAA Tournament: Elite Eight appearance
SEC Regular Season Champions
Top-5 National Ranking by March
Multiple Top-25 Wins (South Carolina, LSU, UConn)
No. 3 in Scoring Offense
Top 10 in Turnover Margin

Caldwell inherited a program with immense potential but inconsistent results. She quickly infused it with her hallmark “organized chaos” — an uptempo, pressing, turnover-forcing style that both thrilled fans and overwhelmed opponents.

In a league dominated by names like Dawn Staley, Kim Mulkey, and Vic Schaefer, Caldwell stood tall. By season’s end, there was no doubt: Tennessee was back, and it was because of Kim Caldwell.

The Maggie Dixon Award, named after the late Army coach who tragically passed away at just 28 years old, is awarded to the top first-year Division I head coach in women’s basketball. Since its inception in 2007, it has become a barometer for future greatness.

Caldwell won it in 2017 at Glenville State — but that was at the Division II level. The fact that she’s now won it again at the D-I level puts her in truly rare company.

“What Kim Caldwell has done in her first season at Tennessee is nothing short of phenomenal,” said WBCA Executive Director Danielle Donehew. “Her impact was immediate, her system transformed a historic program, and her leadership inspired a new generation of Lady Vols fans.”

She becomes the first coach in history to win the Maggie Dixon Award twice, and the only one to do so at two different institutions.

From Day 1, Caldwell made it clear: Tennessee’s success would come from buy-in, effort, and speed.

Gone were the long half-court sets and slow grind-it-out games. Instead, she brought “organized chaos” to Rocky Top — a style predicated on full-court pressure, quick transitions, and wearing opponents down physically and mentally.

That wasn’t just a gimmick. It worked — and worked at the highest level.

Players like Jordyn Walker, Karoline Striplin, and Justine Pissott flourished under her fast-paced system. Former role players blossomed into stars, and Caldwell’s player development was nothing short of elite.

Caldwell’s trust in her players and her no-nonsense style was a breath of fresh air. She demanded accountability but empowered her athletes to play with freedom and confidence.

Tennessee entered the NCAA Tournament as a No. 3 seed — their highest since 2015 — and made a thrilling run to the Elite Eight.

Along the way, they toppled Michigan, Indiana, and UConn in what became the most talked-about Sweet 16 matchup of the year. Their electrifying style caught the attention of national analysts and casual fans alike.

Though their Final Four bid was cut short by a narrow loss to Iowa and Caitlin Clark, it was clear that Caldwell’s team belonged among the elite.

One of the most immediate benefits of Caldwell’s success? Recruiting momentum.

Tennessee’s 2025 recruiting class ranks No. 4 nationally and includes:

Ava Thompson, the No. 1 point guard in the nation
Maya Jenkins, a McDonald’s All-American wing
Lizzie Harmon, a five-star forward from Georgia

Caldwell’s charisma, energy, and modern style have made Tennessee a destination again. Top-tier talent that might have once opted for South Carolina or Stanford is now giving the Lady Vols a long look.

Just as importantly, Caldwell has created a culture where players want to stay. In the age of the transfer portal, that’s no small feat.

Pat Summitt’s shadow looms large in Knoxville, and for good reason — she built Tennessee into the most storied program in women’s basketball history. But since her retirement in 2012 and passing in 2016, the program has struggled to find an identity.

Kim Caldwell has changed that.

Her success is not just wins and losses — it’s a reclamation of the Lady Vol brand.

“Coach Caldwell didn’t just give us a new system — she gave us a new belief,” senior guard Brooklynn Miles said. “For the first time in a long time, we felt like we were playing Lady Vol basketball again.”

What sets Caldwell apart from her peers?

Pace and Pressure – No one runs a system like hers. Opponents averaged 21 turnovers per game against Tennessee this season — tops in the SEC.
Emotional Intelligence – Caldwell is a master communicator, able to connect with players across backgrounds and ages. Her sideline presence is intense but composed.
Adaptability – While she has a clear identity, she’s not rigid. When matchups demanded it, she slowed things down and made halftime adjustments like a seasoned pro.
Fearlessness – Whether taking on blue-bloods or making bold in-game calls, Caldwell coaches with swagger. And her players reflect that.

The comparisons to Pat Summitt are inevitable — and Caldwell would be the first to deflect them. But it’s hard not to feel the symmetry.

Both came to Tennessee at a young age. Both emphasized toughness, conditioning, and accountability. Both turned the Lady Vols into national contenders early in their tenures.

What Caldwell represents is not just a link to the past — but a pathway forward.

Beyond the Maggie Dixon Award, Caldwell has earned:

SEC Coach of the Year
Naismith Coach of the Year Finalist
ESPN National Coach of the Year Runner-Up
Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame Rising Star

In just one season, she’s become a household name. And perhaps most impressively — she has done it her way.

Caldwell’s impact goes beyond X’s and O’s. Attendance at Thompson-Boling Arena jumped by 29%, with several sellouts down the stretch. Social media engagement surged, and merchandise sales set records.

The “Caldwell Effect” is real.

“She brought the fire back,” said longtime season ticket holder Rebecca Langston. “It feels like the old days — packed stands, great basketball, and hope for the future.”

With year one behind her, expectations will skyrocket. The Lady Vols will likely open the 2025-26 season in the top five, and anything less than a Final Four run will feel like unfinished business.

But if history is any indication, Caldwell won’t shy away.

Her goals?