Kim Caldwell has finally filled a key role on her Lady Vols staff, announcing the hiring of Denise Jilka as the program's new director of basketball operations on May 15. The move comes after Tennessee operated without a full-time director throughout the entire 2025-26 season, a gap that left the coaching staff stretched thin behind the scenes.

Jilka steps into the position previously held by Catherine Greene, who left in October to become the ACC's director of women's basketball. Greene had been a cornerstone of the Lady Vols' administrative operations since 2019, serving as both executive director of basketball operations and chief of staff for the past four seasons. Her departure left a void that Caldwell took her time to fill, but now feels confident she's found the right fit.

"I could not be happier to announce Denise Jilka as our executive director of basketball operations," Caldwell said in a school release. "Because of her work ethic and her familiarity with our program, our staff and personnel around the university and SEC, I expect this to be a seamless transition. Her energetic personality and spirit, her organizational skills and her ability to connect with people will serve her and our program well in this role."

For a Lady Vols program that prides itself on championship-level preparation, having a strong director of basketball operations is critical. This role handles everything from travel logistics and practice scheduling to compliance and team communication—the unglamorous but essential work that keeps a top-tier program running smoothly. With Jilka's familiarity with Tennessee's culture and the SEC landscape, Caldwell is betting that the Lady Vols can hit the ground running as they prepare for the upcoming season.

Whether you're a player on the court or a fan in the stands, it's the behind-the-scenes moves like this that often make the biggest difference in a team's success. Stay tuned for more updates as the Lady Vols continue to build their roster and staff for the 2026-27 campaign.