Caldwell waiting to hear back from UCLA

Last week was a great one for Nikki Caldwell.

There's a chance this week might be pretty good as well for the Tennessee women's basketball assistant coach.

Caldwell, who helped guide the Lady Vols to their second consecutive national championship with a 64-48 victory over Stanford Tuesday night, met with UCLA officials Friday at the Dallas airport to discuss the Bruins' head coaching job.

"I had the opportunity to find out a little more about UCLA,'' Caldwell said. "They had the opportunity to find out a little more about me."

Apparently, Caldwell liked what she learned. She described the UCLA opening as a "great opportunity for the next head coach there. Everything is in place."

As for the UCLA officials' impression of Caldwell, she said that she expects to hear back from them sometime this week.

Kathy Olivier, who coached the Bruins for 15 seasons, resigned last month after the team finished a disappointing 16-15 and tied for fourth in the Pac-10 Conference.

Olivier was 232-208 overall, but 117-123 during the last six seasons and led UCLA to only one 20-win season since 1998-99.

Caldwell, who has completed her sixth season as an assistant under Coach Pat Summitt, met with UCLA athletic director Dan Guerrero and associate athletic director Petrina Long to discuss the job.

A former standout guard at Tennessee from 1990 to 1994, Caldwell began her coaching career as a graduate assistant at her alma mater during the 1998-99 season. She then worked as an assistant at Virginia from 1999 to 2002. Summitt hired her in the spring of 2002. She is known for her ability to recruit high-profile players and design game plans.

"She's one of the best Xs and O's coaches out there and a great recruiter," said Lady Vols star forward Candace Parker, the WNBA's No. 1 overall draft pick by the Los Angeles Sparks.

Caldwell said that she has been in contact with athletic officials from Memphis, which also is looking for a new head coach. There has been no formal interview, however.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
Want to use this article? Click here for options!