Kim Mulkey Wins AP Women’s Basketball Coach of the Year for Third Consecutive Year
Kim Mulkey, the head coach of Louisiana State University’s (LSU) women’s basketball team, has been honored with the Associated Press (AP) Women’s Basketball Coach of the Year award for the third time in her illustrious career. This recognition places her alongside coaching legends Geno Auriemma and Muffet McGraw, who have also received the award three times. Just Women’s SportsJust Women’s Sports+2AP News+2ESPN.com+2
Mulkey’s coaching journey began with remarkable success at Baylor University, where she led the Lady Bears to three national championships and became the fastest coach in women’s college basketball history to achieve 600 victories, accomplishing this feat in just 700 games. In 2021, she returned to her home state of Louisiana to take the helm at LSU, inheriting a team that had finished the previous season with a 9-13 record.AP News+1ESPN.com+1LSU
In her inaugural season with the Tigers, Mulkey orchestrated a significant turnaround, guiding the team to a 26-6 record. This 17-win improvement marked the greatest single-season turnaround in Southeastern Conference (SEC) history. Under her leadership, LSU achieved its first 25-win season since 2007-08, secured the No. 2 spot in the SEC standings, and was ranked No. 9 in the final AP poll of the season. Just Women’s Sports+1LSU+1LSU
Mulkey’s impact extended beyond the court, revitalizing the LSU fan base. The Tigers set a new program attendance record, with 129,008 fans attending home games throughout the season, averaging 7,167 per game. This surge in support reflected the renewed enthusiasm surrounding the program. LSU
Reflecting on the season, Mulkey expressed gratitude toward her players and staff, emphasizing the collective effort behind their success. She highlighted the team’s achievements, including multiple victories over ranked opponents and hosting NCAA Tournament games as a No. 3 seed. Mulkey’s coaching philosophy centers on setting realistic goals and fostering a culture of continuous improvement, principles that have been evident throughout her career. LSUAP News
This third AP Coach of the Year award not only underscores Mulkey’s exceptional coaching abilities but also her unwavering commitment to excellence and her profound impact on women’s college basketball. Her journey from a national champion player and assistant coach at Louisiana Tech to a Hall of Fame head coach exemplifies a legacy of success and dedication to the sport.