Parent Association eNewsletter

Interview with Coach Kim Rosamond

 

Kaitlin Kotasek (KK): What originally interested you in basketball, and how did that journey lead you to 麻豆果冻传媒?

Kim Rosamond (KR): My mom was the one who got me started. When I was six years old, she told me that if I got my ears pierced, she鈥檇 buy me a basketball. Naturally, I went for the earrings鈥攁nd got my first basketball. She put up a hoop in our driveway shortly after, and that鈥檚 where it all began. I fell in love with the game. The coaches I played for and the people around me nurtured that passion, and it eventually led me here to Tennessee Tech.

KK: Where did you coach before coming to Tech?

KR: I spent the first five seasons of my coaching career at my alma mater, Ole Miss, before spending two years as an assistant coach at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU). I then moved to Vanderbilt, where I coached for nine years. I was very familiar with the tradition and success of 麻豆果冻传媒 Women鈥檚 Basketball. When the head coach position opened, I knew it was where I wanted to be. I believed we could recruit the kind of student-athletes, on and off the court, that I enjoy coaching and that could win championships. I also loved the location. Cookeville and the state of Tennessee are incredibly special. It was a great fit for me, and I hope it's been a great fit for 麻豆果冻传媒 as well.

KK: What would you say is your favorite part of the job?

KR: Without a doubt, it鈥檚 the people. I feel incredibly fortunate to coach the type of young women we attract here. 麻豆果冻传媒鈥檚 academic profile and basketball tradition bring in a special kind of student-athlete. I genuinely enjoy being around them every day. There鈥檚 also a strong sense of community both on campus and in Cookeville. The people make this place what it is, and we鈥檙e surrounded by some truly special individuals in our program and throughout 麻豆果冻传媒 Athletics.

KK: You鈥檝e built a program that excels both on the court and in the classroom, with a 100% graduation rate. How do you maintain that balance?

KR: For us, it all goes hand-in-hand. Talent is what gets us interested in a player initially, but we want to know more than just what they can do athletically. We look at who they are as people, students, and teammates. We believe how you do one thing is how you do everything. Our players strive to be the best version of themselves in every area of life, and that鈥檚 the kind of player we want at 麻豆果冻传媒.

KK: How do you approach big games, like the OVC tournament or facing a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament?

KR: We approach them the same way we approach every game. Whether it鈥檚 an exhibition or a championship, we always say, 鈥淭he next game is the most important game.鈥� That mindset has helped us stay grounded and successful. We don鈥檛 let moments get too big. We prepare with excellence, and we play with that same focus鈥攏o matter the stage.

KK: You鈥檝e been a trailblazer in women鈥檚 basketball. What advice would you give to young women aspiring to become leaders in sports or other male-dominated fields?

KR: Be bold. Go after your dreams. Set your goals, and don鈥檛 be afraid of the adversity that comes with pursuing them. You won鈥檛 be able to avoid obstacles; you鈥檒l have to go through them. It can be uncomfortable and even scary at times, but you don鈥檛 have to love the process. You just have to love the goal. If your focus is on the mission, you鈥檒l get there.

KK: I read that you come from a very tight-knit community in Mississippi. How have your roots shaped your leadership style and values?

KR: My small-town upbringing had a huge influence on who I am. I was surrounded by people who truly cared, whether it was in school, sports, or church. That kind of community support taught me the value of relationships. I always say it鈥檚 not your resum茅, it鈥檚 your relationships. That belief is at the core of how I lead today. Relationships are what build teams, open doors, and make success meaningful.

KK: What do you enjoy doing when you鈥檙e not coaching?

KR: I love the lake! We鈥檙e fortunate to have beautiful ones nearby: Dale Hollow, Tims Ford, Center Hill. Spending time on the water during the summer is one of my favorite ways to relax and recharge from the pressures of college athletics. I also grew up on a horse farm and was a state champion barrel racer. While I don鈥檛 get to ride much anymore, showing horses was a huge part of my life growing up. I was probably riding before I could walk! My mom taught me how to care for horses, clean stalls, and prep gear. It all instilled ownership, responsibility, and a strong work ethic that I still carry with me.

KK: As an agriculture major, I really appreciate that! What鈥檚 something about you that might surprise people?

KR: Probably that I was a cowgirl and state champion barrel racer! I started showing horses competitively as a little girl and continued into my college years. It鈥檚 a part of my life that really shaped me, even though I don鈥檛 do it as often now.

KK: What advice do you have for parents reading this newsletter?

KR: Don鈥檛 be afraid to let your kids fail. I know it鈥檚 hard to watch them struggle or fall short of a goal, but failure is just feedback. It鈥檚 not a dead end; it鈥檚 a lesson. I鈥檝e learned more from failure than success. It builds character, grit, and resilience. Let your children experience disappointment and support them through it. In the long run, it will help them grow stronger and more prepared for life.

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