In a shocking turn that has rocked the college basketball landscape and stunned the professional ranks, LSU Tigers women’s basketball head coach Kim Mulkey has turned down a monumental $20.5 million contract offer to leave Baton Rouge and instead reaffirmed her loyalty to the LSU program. According to ESPN’s Saturday morning report, Mulkey was approached by a combination of elite programs — a package of interest that reportedly included the NBA’s first-ever formal offer to a female coach, the University of Tennessee’s legendary women’s basketball program, and a significant pitch from Notre Dame — but declined the advances, declaring, “I have no plans beyond being the LSU women’s basketball head coach.”
The reverberations of this decision are echoing throughout the sports world, with Mulkey’s choice sending a clear message: women’s college basketball is no longer just a stepping stone — it’s a destination.
A $20.5 Million Temptation
Multiple sources confirmed that Kim Mulkey was recently courted by a high-profile NBA franchise seeking to break historic ground by hiring the first female head coach in league history. While the identity of the NBA team has yet to be publicly disclosed, insiders say the deal included a $20.5 million compensation package over four years, front-loaded with incentives and a guaranteed personnel budget — terms rarely offered even to mid-level NBA head coaches.
Yet that wasn’t the only temptation. Tennessee, looking to return to national dominance in the wake of post-Pat Summitt struggles, reportedly offered a long-term deal exceeding $3.5 million annually with full program control. Notre Dame, whose legacy under Muffet McGraw remains revered, also presented a competitive proposal structured around a rebuilding vision — one Mulkey could spearhead with immediate national impact.
Despite these jaw-dropping offers, Mulkey’s response was swift and direct. “I’m where I’m supposed to be,” she told ESPN. “There’s no price tag you can put on the pride of building something special, something lasting — and I’ve found that at LSU.”
Why LSU Was Always Home
Kim Mulkey, a native of Louisiana, has always worn her heart on her sleeve when it comes to the Bayou State. After winning three national championships with Baylor, her 2021 return to her home state was a full-circle moment. She inherited a Tigers program that had fallen into mediocrity and quickly transformed it into a national power — culminating in LSU’s first-ever national championship in 2023.
Since then, LSU has become not just a dominant team, but a cultural force. With stars like Angel Reese, Flau’jae Johnson, Hailey Van Lith, and now rising talents like Mikaylah Williams and Aalyah Del Rosario, Mulkey has brought flair, attention, and a winning brand of basketball to Baton Rouge.
Her flamboyant sideline outfits and candid interviews may make headlines, but it’s her results — a 92–14 record at LSU through three seasons — that have cemented her as arguably the most powerful coach in women’s college basketball today.
“What we’re building isn’t temporary,” Mulkey stated. “This isn’t just about winning games. It’s about changing lives, inspiring girls to dream bigger, and bringing pride to a state that’s always had heart, but now has hardware.”
A Blow to Tennessee and Notre Dame
For Tennessee and Notre Dame, this development is a substantial setback. Both programs were believed to be aggressively pursuing Mulkey as part of broader plans to return to the elite tier of women’s basketball.
Tennessee, once the gold standard of the sport under the late Pat Summitt, has struggled to maintain that dominance in the modern NIL and transfer portal era. Despite steady leadership under Kellie Harper, insiders believed the administration was ready to make a splashy move — and Mulkey, with her ties to SEC country and competitive fire, seemed a natural fit.
Notre Dame, meanwhile, has had an up-and-down transition post-McGraw. Though head coach Niele Ivey has kept the program competitive, there were rumblings of seeking a marquee name to elevate the Irish back to Final Four expectations.
Both schools are now forced to regroup, and while Mulkey’s rejection doesn’t diminish their prestige, it underscores how difficult it is to pry top-tier coaches from thriving programs — especially when those coaches have a strong emotional and cultural connection to where they are.
The NBA Opportunity: A Historical What-If
Perhaps the most intriguing part of this saga was the NBA’s involvement. The unnamed franchise’s approach to Mulkey marked a groundbreaking attempt to bring a female coach into the men’s professional ranks — a move that could’ve changed the trajectory of sports history.
Mulkey, for all her polarizing traits, was a legitimate candidate. Her basketball acumen is beyond question, and her track record of developing talent and building winning cultures speaks for itself. ESPN reports the team was “prepared to hand her the keys,” viewing her as a potential trailblazer in the mold of Becky Hammon — but with head coaching experience at the highest collegiate level.
Yet Mulkey wasn’t tempted.
“The NBA? That’s someone else’s dream. Mine is right here in Baton Rouge,” she told reporters on Friday after practice. “That league will get there, and it’ll be a beautiful day when it happens — but I’ll be watching it from LSU’s bench.”
Reactions Across the Basketball World
Mulkey’s decision has drawn a wave of reactions — admiration, surprise, and renewed respect.
LSU President William Tate IV expressed his delight in a public statement: “Coach Mulkey is a treasure not just to LSU, but to Louisiana. Her decision to remain is a powerful affirmation of everything we’re building here — on and off the court.”
Star guard Flau’jae Johnson tweeted, “We not going nowhere!! Coach M is locked in #GeauxTigers,” while Angel Reese, now in the WNBA, wrote on Instagram: “Big Mulkey energy. Coach M turning down the league?? GOAT MOVE.”
Tennessee fans reacted with disappointment, with many on social media venting frustrations at what they saw as a missed opportunity to reclaim their program’s dominant past. Notre Dame forums lit up with a mix of disappointment and speculation over what comes next for their program.
Meanwhile, WNBA stars and NBA players alike weighed in. Sue Bird praised Mulkey’s legacy-building, writing: “Sometimes making history is knowing when not to chase it. Respect to Coach Mulkey for staying where her heart is.”
What’s Next for LSU?
With Mulkey staying put, LSU’s immediate future looks even more promising. The Tigers are expected to be among the top contenders again in 2025, led by a new wave of talent that includes freshman phenoms and returning veterans.
NIL support for LSU women’s basketball continues to rise, with new partnerships and brand investments expected this summer. The Tigers’ recruiting efforts are also poised to benefit, as top prospects can now commit with confidence, knowing Mulkey isn’t going anywhere.
Mulkey herself hinted at long-term ambitions, saying, “I want to make LSU the standard. Not just for one season, not just for one class — but year after year. That’s my mission.”
Legacy and Loyalty in the Modern Era
In an age where coaching changes happen at the speed of a tweet and loyalty is often secondary to opportunity, Kim Mulkey’s decision stands out as a rare testament to staying the course.
By turning down $20.5 million and potential NBA immortality, Mulkey has doubled down on her vision: building something that matters, in a place that matters to her.
“It’s not about the money,” she said in her parting words during Friday’s media availability. “It’s about the meaning. And for me, there’s no greater meaning than being here, coaching these girls, representing LSU, and making Louisiana proud.”
For Baton Rouge, for the SEC, and for the sport of women’s basketball — Kim Mulkey’s decision wasn’t just about coaching. It was a declaration.