For Kim Caldwell, the sting of a season-ending loss to Alabama was just the beginning. Now, an insider has highlighted a new threat to her job security that goes beyond the box score.

The turbulent season of the Tennessee Lady Volunteers has come to a disappointing end. Following a 76-64 defeat at the hands of Alabama in the SEC Tournament second round. With the latest defeat, Ryan Sylvia has pointed out how quick triggers in college sports put her future with the program in doubt.

This one-and-done performance in the SEC Tournament was their earliest exit from the conference tourney since 2017. They have only two wins in their last 11 games. Rocky Top Insider’s Ryan Sylvia recently talked about why, despite having Danny White’s backing, the result can be a problem.

“I’m betting on it if Kim Caldwell is head coach next year, I think that she will be,” he said. “In this day in college sports, for both players and portals, it moves so quickly, and then also for coaching changes. I mean, we saw what happened in the SEC and football this past year.”

“Like some, some years it’s kind of nothing at all, but then it’s just an onslaught, and people make quick moves and have quick triggers. And you just kind of never know,” Sylvia added.

Caldwell’s position can also be in jeopardy because of the recent reports of internal fallouts. There have been signs that she has lost the locker room. Her fifth-year senior, Kayla Wynn, recently left the team after Caldwell didn’t play her during the senior night. Fans also demanded a change as the coach decided to bench Talaysia Cooper for most of the game against Alabama.

Despite the recent results, Caldwell believes her team can make the NCAA Tournament.

Kim Caldwell makes a case for her team to make the cut

The Lady Vols have a poor  16-13 record and an 8-8 record in the SEC, and now a second-round exit from the SEC Tournament. All this can make anybody feel the Lady Vols’ time in the current season is over. However, Caldwell begs to differ.

After the loss against Alabama, she made a case for Tennessee to make it through. “I think we’ve played the hardest schedule in the country,” said Caldwell after the defeat. “I think the majority of that came in February, but we have significant wins. We hope to get in and continue to try to be a different team.”

The Lady Vols have never missed the NCAA Tournament in the history of their program. However, their current streak does put that historic run in danger. Right now, however, they might just be able to scrape through.

To salvage the season, Caldwell must not only hope for a tournament bid but also address the team’s internal issues and find a way to rally her players for what comes next.