"She is a beast","That's one tough woman": College hoops fans react to Tennessee HC Kim Caldwell's major South Carolina decision

College basketball fans reacted to the gritty decision made by Tennessee coach Kim Caldwell, one week after giving birth to her son. Tennessee media reported that Caldwell expressed plans to coach the No. 17-ranked Volunteers (15-4, 3-4) in an SEC regular season clash against the No. 2-ranked South Carolina Gamecocks (19-1, 7-0) on Monday at the Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville.

The first-year coach returned to practice on Friday and stressed that she missed her team and was itching to get back to her normal routine.

Fans had mixed reactions about her decision to return to coaching despite only having a few days rest after giving birth, with college hoops enthusiasts admiring her toughness as a woman.

"🗣️! 😳! She is a beast, what about the 6 weeks healing process!Wow!✌🏾!🏀," a fan wrote on X.

"That’s one tough woman! 💪 #GoLadyVols #GBO 🍊," a college basketball enthusiast said.

"Woah that’s quick," a college hoops follower added.

"Popped that baby out Monday and I’ll be back tomorrow! Momma didn’t raise no punk 😤 Let’s go y’all !! #LadyVols #GBO," another user opined.

"She has her new little one and her older little ones they need her, too. Makes perfect sense to me!," a fan said.

"Love our Coach!!," a basketball fanatic hailed Caldwell.

"One of the most physically impressive things I have heard in awhile," another social media follower pointed out.

However, not all admired her decision to return to her coaching duties. Some users felt it was too soon for her to leave her newborn son in favor of her work.

"I mean, bless her heart, but what about HER KID?!?!?! geez, i mean i know they won't remember any of this but this is the point where the kid bonds to the mother," one user pointed out.

"Agreed, have to try and look at it through her eyes as well, her players to her are her kids too and she probably has a tremendous guilt feeling she left them hanging? Idk. Most definitely a tough position," another fan added.

"She needs to slow that roll down. Take time to let your body heal," another social media follower explained.

The school's athletics department has yet to comment on whether Caldwell would coach during away games as she recovers from giving birth. The Lady Volunteers will visit Missouri on Feb. 2 and LSU the following week.

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Kim Caldwell's Tennessee looks to avoid fifth loss in seven games

Since starting the season 13-0, Caldwell and the Lady Volunteers have gone further south in the SEC race losing four of their last six games, including two straight against Vanderbilt and Texas. The coach may have thought the team needed her as Tennessee has slid to ninth place in the conference standings.

However, the team's next opponent is the hot South Carolina squad, who won a big game against No. 5 LSU. Many experts believe Caldwell's comeback may boost her squad's morale.

Tipoff is set at 7:00 p.m. ET.