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NO BATON ROUGE, La. – LSU Welcomes Seimone Augustus Back Home as Director of Player Development for Women’s Basketball Program
BATON ROUGE, La. – In a homecoming that has electrified the LSU community and sent ripples through the landscape of women’s college basketball, the LSU Tigers women’s basketball program has officially named legendary alumna Seimone Augustus as the team’s new Director of Player Development.
The move, announced by head coach Kim Mulkey during a press conference at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center, represents not only a strategic step for the Tigers’ powerhouse program, but a deeply emotional and symbolic moment for a school that helped shape one of the greatest players in women’s basketball history.
“This is a full-circle moment,” Augustus said, beaming with pride. “I wore that jersey with my heart. Now, I get to help the next generation understand what it means to represent LSU on and off the court.”
- Two-time National Player of the Year
- Three-time All-American
- SEC Player of the Year (twice)
- Over 2,700 career points scored
She led LSU to three consecutive Final Four appearances, cementing the program’s elite status nationally and building a legacy that laid the foundation for today’s success.
Now, 19 years after her collegiate career ended, Augustus returns to her alma mater with the mission of guiding the next generation of Tigers — not just in their basketball development, but in leadership, mental toughness, and community impact.
Head Coach Kim Mulkey, who brought LSU its first NCAA women’s basketball national title in 2023 and has reinvigorated the program with both flair and substance, made it clear that Augustus’ addition is far more than ceremonial.
“This isn’t just about nostalgia,” Mulkey said. “It’s about leadership. It’s about setting a standard. Seimone is a living example of what LSU women’s basketball is, was, and will be. She knows what it takes to be great here. Our girls will benefit from her wisdom, her presence, and her unshakeable pride in wearing purple and gold.”
Mulkey emphasized that Augustus will work closely with players in developing the off-court traits that define championship programs — resilience, focus, team-first mentality, and professionalism. With NIL opportunities, media pressures, and transfer portal dynamics reshaping the modern college athlete’s experience, Augustus will serve as a grounding and guiding force.
As Director of Player Development, Augustus’s role will encompass a broad spectrum of responsibilities:
- Mentoring players on life after basketball and NIL management
- Hosting leadership seminars and guest sessions with professionals
- Assisting with recruiting by sharing her unique journey with prospects
- Overseeing community engagement projects and philanthropy efforts
This holistic approach to player development is something Augustus is particularly passionate about. After retiring from professional basketball, which included an Olympic gold medal-winning career and four WNBA titles with the Minnesota Lynx, she turned her focus toward mentorship, activism, and giving back to the sport.
“When I retired, I promised myself I’d do more to uplift young women — especially young women of color — and give them the blueprint,” Augustus said. “Now, I can do that right here where it all started for me.”
Augustus joins an LSU team still riding the momentum of its 2023 championship and bolstered by stars like Angel Reese, Flau’jae Johnson, and others who have used their platforms to grow the game on and off the court. With the NCAA women’s basketball landscape evolving rapidly, especially in terms of media attention and NIL earnings, LSU’s decision to emphasize personal development is forward-thinking.
In her new role, Augustus will also serve as a bridge between the coaching staff and players. Her ability to relate — not only as a former player but as a Black woman who’s navigated the challenges of professional sports, social justice activism, and public scrutiny — will give the team an invaluable resource.
“This generation of athletes needs more than playbooks and drills,” Augustus said. “They need to feel seen, heard, and understood. They need to know their dreams are valid beyond the game.”
Social media lit up moments after the news broke, with former teammates, WNBA stars, and LSU legends flooding timelines with messages of congratulations and celebration. LSU alumni took pride in the symbolic return of a hometown hero, while fans marveled at the possibility of seeing one of the greatest Tigers of all time walking the sidelines once again.
Sylvia Fowles, Augustus’s former LSU teammate and another WNBA great, shared on Instagram:
“She’s back where she belongs. LSU just got stronger.”
Others praised the decision as a savvy move by Coach Mulkey — one that solidifies LSU’s cultural and historical foundation while pointing toward the future.
Beyond her collegiate accolades, Seimone Augustus’s career is the stuff of legend:
- WNBA Rookie of the Year (2006)
- Four-time WNBA Champion (2011, 2013, 2015, 2017)
- Eight-time WNBA All-Star
- Three-time Olympic Gold Medalist (2008, 2012, 2016)
- FIBA World Champion
- Minnesota Lynx All-Time Leading Scorer
Her No. 33 jersey was retired by LSU in 2010, and the school unveiled a statue in her honor outside the Pete Maravich Assembly Center in 2023, making her one of only three LSU athletes — along with Shaquille O’Neal and Bob Pettit — to receive such an honor.
The Tigers head into the 2025 season as one of the most high-profile programs in the country, continuing to attract top-tier talent and national media attention. With the return of key players, an incoming top-five recruiting class, and the championship pedigree of Mulkey, expectations are high.
Now with Augustus in the fold, there’s a renewed focus on personal excellence. The combination of elite coaching and holistic development could become a blueprint for other programs.
“We’re not just building athletes,” Mulkey concluded. “We’re building future leaders, entrepreneurs, mothers, role models. And I can’t think of anyone better to help us do that than Seimone.”
Augustus had a simple but powerful message for the current Tigers roster:
“Be proud of your roots. Be proud to be LSU. Use your voice, your story, and your talent to move the game forward. And remember — this place gave us the tools. It’s our job to give back.”
The return of Seimone Augustus to LSU as Director of Player Development is more than just a homecoming. It is a strategic, emotional, and culture-shaping move that reaffirms LSU’s place at the forefront of women’s basketball.
From the court to the boardroom to community outreach, Augustus is poised to make a monumental impact — not just on the Tigers, but on the entire sport. Her story, her resume, and her heart all scream purple and gold.
Welcome home, Seimone. The next chapter of LSU greatness begins now.
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