When Kim Mulkey was introduced as the head coach of LSU women’s basketball in April 2021, few could have predicted just how rapidly and dramatically she would elevate the program. Already a legend at Baylor, where she captured three national championships and became the fastest coach in NCAA history to reach 600 wins, Mulkey arrived in Baton Rouge with a Hall of Fame résumé. But her impact at LSU has transcended even the loftiest expectations. In just a few short years, she has transformed the Lady Tigers into a national powerhouse and etched her name into the history books as the unquestioned G.O.A.T. of women’s college basketball.
Now, as LSU reloads for another run at a national title, the question isn’t whether Mulkey is building a dynasty—it’s how high the ceiling is for what she’s creating in Baton Rouge.
The Blueprint of a Champion
Kim Mulkey didn’t just bring a trophy case full of accolades to LSU—she brought an uncompromising culture of excellence. From the first press conference, she made it clear that mediocrity would no longer be acceptable in Baton Rouge.
“I didn’t come here to retire,” she famously said. “I came here to win.”
And win she has.
In her first season (2021–22), LSU surged to a 26–6 record, finishing second in the SEC and earning a No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament. That alone would have been enough to declare her debut a resounding success. But Mulkey wasn’t satisfied.
Just one year later, in 2023, she led LSU to its first national championship in program history, defeating Iowa in a record-shattering title game watched by over 9.9 million viewers. That victory not only validated her decision to leave Baylor but also ignited a movement in the state of Louisiana.
The Dynasty Begins
While the 2023 national title was monumental, it was never the end goal—it was the beginning. Mulkey immediately pivoted to what great coaches do best: sustain success.
She used her championship momentum to dominate the transfer portal, landing high-profile players like Hailey Van Lith from Louisville and building a team around returning stars such as Angel Reese and Flau’jae Johnson. The Lady Tigers became a media sensation, blending star power with blue-collar toughness, and Mulkey became the most talked-about figure in the sport.
Even with intense media scrutiny, locker room drama, and the weight of expectations, Mulkey’s Tigers returned to the Elite Eight in 2024 and remained a fixture in the AP Top 5 throughout the year. Most programs would dream of a tournament run like that—but for Mulkey, it was a step back. And that mindset is precisely what makes her different.
A Coach Unlike Any Other
Kim Mulkey is a paradox—flamboyant and fierce, unapologetically old-school yet savvy in the modern NIL and transfer era. She wears sequins on the sideline, but her basketball mind is as sharp as ever. She’s a relentless competitor and motivator who demands discipline, but her players love her for it. She has earned her players’ loyalty not through coddling but through clarity and conviction.
“She’s hard on us because she wants the best for us,” Angel Reese said. “She holds us accountable, and that’s why we win.”
Mulkey’s ability to develop talent is elite. Players like Reese, Alexis Morris, and Flau’jae Johnson have flourished under her system, improving their skill sets and their mental approach. She’s also become a master recruiter, pitching LSU not just as a basketball program but as a brand.
She’s embraced NIL, social media, and the celebrity culture that surrounds the modern game, not with disdain but with strategic vision.
“You have to evolve,” Mulkey said. “But you don’t lose who you are in the process.”
The Numbers Don’t Lie
Kim Mulkey’s resume is statistically unmatched:
- Four national championships (three at Baylor, one at LSU)
- Over 700 career wins
- Fastest coach to reach 600 wins in NCAA history
- Three-time Naismith Coach of the Year
- Undefeated in national championship games (4–0)
- Multiple Final Four appearances with two different programs
No other coach in the women’s game—past or present—has done what Mulkey has done in the time span she’s done it. And she’s not slowing down.
Forging a New Era at LSU
Mulkey isn’t just content with winning titles—she wants LSU to be the gold standard of women’s college basketball.
She’s advocated for upgraded facilities, enhanced recruiting budgets, and a stronger support structure for women’s athletics. Her presence has galvanized the LSU fanbase. Attendance records have shattered, TV ratings are soaring, and the Lady Tigers have become appointment viewing.
LSU is no longer chasing UConn, South Carolina, or Stanford—it’s leading the chase.
The Tigers’ recruiting classes have consistently ranked among the nation’s best. Mulkey has inked McDonald’s All-Americans, landed top-five transfers, and scouted under-the-radar talent who fit her system. With each new commitment, the message is clear: If you want to win, if you want to be coached hard, and if you want to be legendary—come to Baton Rouge.
The Angel Reese Effect
While Kim Mulkey is the architect of this dynasty, her players have helped shape the narrative. Angel Reese, in particular, has become the face of LSU’s rise.
Reese’s emotional fire, dominant post play, and unapologetic confidence made her a cultural icon. Her relationship with Mulkey, built on mutual respect and accountability, exemplifies what makes this program special.
Reese helped deliver LSU’s first national championship and later became the program’s first player to earn All-American honors and national endorsement deals in the seven-figure range. She credited Mulkey for pushing her to the next level—not just as a player, but as a woman.
“Coach Mulkey believed in me when a lot of people didn’t,” Reese said. “She gave me a second chance and challenged me to grow.”
Reese’s legacy is now cemented, and her decision to enter the WNBA in 2024 only opened the door for new stars to emerge under Mulkey’s watch.
Next in Line: The Future Stars
The post-Angel Reese era is not a step back—it’s another chapter.
Flau’jae Johnson, the multi-talented guard and rapper, has blossomed into a leader and offensive threat. LSU’s younger core includes elite recruits like Mikaylah Williams and Aalyah Del Rosario, who are primed to carry the torch forward.
Additionally, Mulkey has once again dominated the transfer market, securing high-impact additions that address team needs. With a blend of veteran savvy and youthful explosiveness, LSU is positioned to contend every year.
The beauty of Mulkey’s dynasty is that it’s not dependent on one player or one cycle. It’s built to last.
Mulkey vs. the Field
Any discussion of the G.O.A.T. in women’s basketball often includes names like Geno Auriemma and Dawn Staley. While both are Hall of Famers and icons in their own right, Mulkey has carved a different path.
She won titles at multiple programs. She built a national brand without the East Coast media advantage. She took a dormant LSU program and made it the center of the women’s basketball universe—all in under three seasons.
Dawn Staley has certainly risen as a powerhouse at South Carolina, but Mulkey’s head-to-head success and deeper résumé make a strong argument in her favor. Meanwhile, Geno Auriemma’s dominance was built in a different era—an era that Kim Mulkey is redefining with style, substance, and sustained excellence.
More Than a Coach
Kim Mulkey’s story is also a personal one. A fiery point guard at Louisiana Tech who helped win the inaugural NCAA title in 1982, she’s long been a trailblazer. Her journey through coaching included a controversial exit from Baylor, intense media scrutiny, and personal losses. But she’s remained true to herself.
She’s brought her roots back to Louisiana, returning to the state that raised her and delivering one of the most impactful coaching performances the sport has ever seen. She’s become more than a coach—she’s a symbol of pride, resilience, and Southern grit.
