LSU coach Nikki Caldwell and her coaching staff are always dressed to the nines on the sidelines, but their style has a deeper meaning than what most see.
Wearing nice clothing doesn’t define the staff, but it represents what the coaches stand for.
Good first impressions, a nice appearance and proper self-representation are principles the coaches were taught at a young age and continue to live by.
Caldwell, whose mother was a model, said she grew up as a tomboy. She wasn’t a fan of fashion at a young age, but now appreciates her exposure.
Caldwell credits her style and dress not only to her upbringing, but to her position as a coach. She said most people never get a second chance to make a great impression.
“When you are in a position of influence, someone seeing you on the bench or walking down the street … that’s important to show that you’re always on and always ready for that interview,” Caldwell said. “You never know who you will meet.”
Caldwell and assistant coach Tasha Butts share a personal stylist, Shyra Ely of Tennessee, who sends the coaches looks and orders their clothes.
The coaches said they’re professionals, so they dress for the job.
“I don’t know why people make it a big deal because men coach in suits,” Butts said. “People wear heels to church, people wear heels to work when they’re teachers. We just happen to coach women’s basketball.”
The coaches said they love to be stylish but will also work in sweats and tennis shoes at team practices. They even jump into practice when it’s needed.
“We’re all about rolling our sleeves up and practicing [with] our girls if we have to,” Butts said.
Butts said fashion doesn’t define her as a person — character does. She said she is a “fireball,” and most people can see that when she’s “up screaming and stomping” her heels.
“Whatever I do is passionate,” Butts said. “I’m passionate about recruiting, I’m passionate about my girls’ academics and I’m passionate about my heels. That’s the type of person I am; that’s the type of coach I am.”
Assistant coach Tony Perotti said the male staff members try to keep up with the women, but he knows the men can’t match the female coaches’ style. Perotti said the men enjoy dressing up on game day because style represents a person’s direction.
“You always want to look the part that you’re in,” Perotti said. “If you want to move up in the world, you need to dress the part you want to move to.”
