A program with the perennial powerhouse status like Tennessee women's basketball doesn't often see blips on the radar, showing signs of a possible, incoming disaster.
They certainly never have the disaster hit dead center and blow the place to smithereens.
However, that seems to be exactly what is happening to the Lady Vols and head coach Kim Caldwell as player after player flees for the transfer portal and recruit after recruit turns face to head in another direction.
Oliviyah Edwards, a five-star power forward who already signed with the Vols, just asked to be released from her paperwork locking her in at Tennessee... making her the 13th (might be a little beyond unlucky) departure from the program since the season ended.
Oliviyah Edwards requests release from Tennessee signing
While Edwards wasn't with the program quite yet, 12 current Vols (now former Vols, I suppose) have already hit the road, preparing to enter the portal as soon as it opens in just a few days.
From SEC All-Freshman team member Mia Pauldo to veteran guard Talaysia Cooper to former top-20 recruit Deniya Prawl, the Lady Vols are watching player after player run for the hills, and away from Caldwell.
So, with a top prospect now trying to break her commitment to the program, one major question is being screamed louder than ever: When does Tennessee cut ties with its head coach?
🚨BREAKING🚨 Five-Star Plus+ PF Oliviyah Edwards has requested to be released from her signing with Tennessee, @TaliaGoodmanWBB reports.
— Rivals (@Rivals) April 4, 2026
Read: https://t.co/1A2lSP4LYd pic.twitter.com/VCsGXDu0N3
Caldwell has been the head coach for just two seasons and has led the Volunteers to a 40-24 overall record, with an abysmal 16-14 performance this year. However, she's young and has a lot of promise, not to mention the fact that she played college ball at Tennessee herself.
Yet, can a program that boasts the legendary names of Pat Summitt, Candace Parker, and more continue to sit by and watch elite talent opt to walk out the door instead of sticking around through a rough patch?
With the Lady Vols this far in the hole, it may be time (if not well past it) to cut Tennessee's loses while the program is only this far behind...