KNOXVILLE, TN — In a move that has Lady Vols fans buzzing with nostalgia and hope, Coach Raymond “Ray” Sheffield, the legendary grassroots mentor who first discovered and coached Candace Parker as a middle schooler, has returned to Tennessee in a quiet but powerful role—Player Development Consultant for the Lady Vols basketball program.
Sheffield, now 67, had largely disappeared from the national basketball spotlight after retiring from AAU coaching in 2013, citing a desire to step away from the hyper-commercialized youth circuit. But insiders say he’s remained deeply connected behind the scenes—mentoring coaches, consulting on skill clinics, and helping young players rediscover the fundamentals that first made them fall in love with the game.
Now, after more than a decade away, he’s back in Knoxville—on his own terms.
“I didn’t come back for cameras or credit,” Sheffield said during a brief media session at Thompson-Boling Arena. “I came back because this program is special. Candace knew that. Pat knew that. It’s time to remind the next generation why putting on this jersey matters.”
The decision to bring him on board was reportedly spearheaded by current head coach Kellie Harper, who played under Pat Summitt and witnessed Sheffield’s early impact firsthand. His new role focuses on individual skill-building, confidence cultivation, and psychological resilience—especially for freshmen navigating the intense pressure of SEC basketball.
“Coach Ray doesn’t just teach basketball,” Harper said. “He teaches belief.”
Sheffield famously coached Candace Parker from the time she was 12, introducing her to post footwork, off-ball movement, and the mindset of a leader. He’s credited with helping shape not just her game, but her competitive fire—long before she became a WNBA MVP and Olympic gold medalist.
“He believed in me before anyone else did,” Parker once said in a 2010 interview. “Coach Ray was the first person to tell me I could dominate this game—he didn’t care I was a girl.”
His return has sparked a wave of emotional responses from former Lady Vols, including Tamika Catchings and Kara Lawson, who have expressed their support on social media. Fans are already calling him “the secret sauce” behind a potential new era in Lady Vols dominance.
While Sheffield won’t be on the sidelines during games, players say his voice in practice is already making waves. “It’s like hearing Pat through a different lens,” one player said. “He doesn’t yell—he just knows exactly what to say.”
The coach who helped launch Candace Parker’s rise is back in orange—and the Lady Vols couldn’t be more ready.
