Kim Caldwell, the head coach of the Lady Vols, has named Denise Jilka to the newly created position of director of basketball operations, a move announced this week.
A Strategic Shift in Coaching Staff
Jilka, who has been part of the University of Tennessee’s athletic staff since 2014, most recently served as director of academic services for Olympic sports after a promotion in 2023.
She succeeds Catherine Greene, who left the role to take on a leadership post within the Atlantic Coast Conference, bringing her own expertise to the broader conference landscape.
Maggie Stanley, previously a graduate assistant and now assistant director of basketball operations, will work alongside Jilka to oversee travel logistics, scheduling and day‑to‑day team management.
Although Jilka has no direct experience as a director of basketball operations, her long‑standing relationship with the program and her background in academic counseling are seen as assets that could streamline operations off the court.
A former softball player at Bradley University, Jilka earned a master’s in sport and performance psychology from the University of Denver in 2013 and a master’s in sport management from Tennessee in 2017, credentials that reflect a blend of scholarly and practical knowledge.
The appointment signals a continued emphasis on integrating academic support with athletic performance, a priority for Caldwell as the Lady Vols aim to strengthen their competitive edge while maintaining student‑athlete success.