Dawn Staley On Kim Caldwell: ‘Women Have The Strength Of 10 Men’

Image: Rocky Top Insider

By Cody McClure

South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley spoke recently in a press conference about Tennessee’s Kim Caldwell and the sacrifices she’s made to get back on the court.

Caldwell gave birth to baby boy just days ago and only managed to miss one game with her team — a loss at Texas last week.

She returned on Monday night to face Staley’s Gamecocks in the Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center.

Tennessee came up short to a team much more talented and established, culture-wise, but Caldwell’s ladies fought hard and Staley seemed to be impressed by what she’s seen from the young Tennessee coach.

“Women have the strength of ten men. No doubt about it,” Staley said. “She’s very passionate about her team and coaching here. She’s got them off to a great start … a very exciting brand of basketball. When you have a coach that really wants to hang another banner, it comes as a sacrifice.”

It’s remarkable, really, that Caldwell has been able to return so quickly. Staley said she doesn’t know if she could have come back so soon.

“She’s probably a better woman than me. I don’t know if I could be detached from my little one for that long,” she said. “But she wanted to be here with her team. Women have to make decisions like that. And when they do I feel like other women should honor them and let them know …”

“We see you. We feel you. We hear you. I congratulate her.”