The Lady Vols are in for another intense SEC showdown this week, facing off against the undefeated No. 4 LSU Tigers at the Food City Center on Thursday. With a 13-1 record, Tennessee is coming off their first loss of the season to No. 10 Oklahoma. On the other hand, LSU is still riding high at 17-0, looking to keep their perfect record intact as they dive into SEC play. But before the game even tips off, LSU’s head coach Kim Mulkey has already made waves—and it’s not for anything on the court.

During a Tuesday media session, Mulkey couldn’t help but add some humor into the conversation by addressing an unexpected topic—Tennessee head coach Kim Caldwell’s impending labor. With Caldwell due to give birth any day now, Mulkey lightened the mood with a joke.

According to her, she’s ready to step in as a midwife if Caldwell goes into labor during the game.

“I know she, any moment now I was told, should have a baby, so I hope she has it right there in the middle of the game,” Mulkey said. “I hope that game gets so exciting, I’ll go down there and help deliver it. … So if Kim goes into labor during our game, listen, I have lots of experience, I have two. So come find me, and I’ll be there to hold your hand with husband and whoever else you’ll let into the room.”

It was a bold and funny moment that had everyone laughing, but Mulkey wasn’t just cracking jokes. She went on to show real respect for Caldwell’s coaching abilities. While some might think Caldwell is simply following in the footsteps of the legendary Pat Summitt, Kim Mulkey pointed out that Caldwell is forging her own path.

“She’s not directly following Pat’s footsteps, but the aura of Pat will always be there. Kim is doing something different, but it’s working. She’s getting people excited, putting Tennessee back in the top 25, and building something really special,” Mulkey shared, the respect and admiration clear in her words.

Caldwell’s style of play has certainly turned heads. With Tennessee’s offense averaging a jaw-dropping 97.3 points per game, it’s clear the Lady Vols are all about fast-paced, high-scoring action. Mulkey admitted that trying to slow down Tennessee will be a tough task for her team. “They score a lot, so we’ve got to focus on defense and keep them from reaching the 90s,” she said. But it’s not just about the game.

Kim Mulkey jokes, but Tennessee shines in supporting Caldwell

Mulkey also recognized how much Caldwell has become a symbol of resilience and support. And, is not the first time that Tennessee’s athletic programs have always found ways to support coaches in balancing family and career.

Caldwell isn’t the first Lady Vols coach to be pregnant during a season. Volleyball coach Eve Rackham Watt managed a pregnancy while coaching in 2018, and tennis coach Alison Ojeda did the same while leading her team to the national semifinals.

For fans like Lynn and Jim Wilson, Caldwell’s journey is deeply personal. The couple, who followed Caldwell from Marshall to Tennessee, has seen firsthand how her fiery coaching style. They’ve been with her through thick and thin, and her journey to motherhood has made them even more dedicated.

Now, as the Lady Vols get ready for one of their biggest matchups of the season, the big question is whether Caldwell’s first child will be born in the middle of one of the most thrilling games of the year.

One thing’s for sure—Mulkey’s got her back, just in case.