‘It’s difficult, I’m not going to lie’ — Candace Parker gives her thoughts on the state of the Lady Vols

The Tennessee Lady Vols are in a tough place following a collapse to their 2025-26 season. Program legend Candace Parker had a measured but concerned take on the state of the program.

Craig Smith — College Football & NFL Trending News Writer
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Candace Parker charges off court as the clock counts down to zero marking Tennessee’s win against Rutgers for the national championship on Tuesday, April 3, 2007. Saul Young / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Tennessee Lady Vols are at a crossroads at the end of Kim Caldwell’s second season in Knoxville. After losing 11 of 13 games to end the year, the Lady Vols dropped their NCAA Tournament opener to NC State 76-61. It was the first time since 2018-19 and just the second time since 2010 that the Lady Vols failed to win a tournament game.

Of course, the news this week has been the departure of every eligible player to return via the transfer portal, along with the request of five-star signee Oliviyah Edwards to be let out of her letter of intent.

So, what does one of the greatest Lady Vols ever make of the state of the program under Kim Caldwell? Candace Parker discussed the program with former South Carolina standout Aliyah Boston on their podcast “Post Moves with Candace Parker & Aliyah Boston”, and she, like all Tennessee fans, is waiting for Tennessee to push again for the Final Four.

Candace Parker says she supports the program, but the Lady Vols have to start making strides

‘It’s difficult, I’m not going to lie,” Parker said. “Because you pour so much of your energy and heart, and now I’m a fan, so I’m really a fanatic. And I want to see my team — like, I want to be around the fans at the Final Four like you were able to be with South Carolina. I’m anxious to want to have that feeling again. It’s been a long time since we’ve been back to the Final Four. I was in the jersey, and I know I’m about to turn 40, so it’s been a really long time.

“So, it’s just disappointing. Obviously you can’t control the portal all the time. However, we’ve got to get better. We’ve got to start making strides so that this program doesn’t fall by the wayside, for sure.”

Parker also weighed in on the controversial and since-deleted tweet that Holly Rowe put out criticizing Tennessee athletic director Danny White for the state of the Lady Vols program.

“I am a big believer in supporting through the ups and downs, so I’m going to support through the ups and downs, but we’ve got to start making some changes. We’ve got to start getting better and being back in it, because for us, you start letting time tick, and it’s like La (Louisiana) Tech and, you know, back in the day, where it was like, yeah, La Tech used to be good. I remember being like, ‘man, get out of here.’”

Parker’s worries aren’t unfounded. Tennessee hasn’t been to a regional final in a decade. Some of the incoming freshman were just born when Parker and the Lady Vols won their last national championship in 2008. At some point, the program has to start making moves back in the right direction.

Will that happen with Caldwell? It sounds like Parker is going to be there to root her on as long as the job is hers, win or lose. But sooner than later, the winning part has to start happening again.

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