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NO BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA: LSU Tigers Announce Seimone Augustus as Director of Player Development, Reigniting Championship Dreams
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Baton Rouge, La. — The LSU Tigers women’s basketball program has just taken a monumental step forward — and backward in time — in the best way possible. Seimone Augustus, the legendary LSU alumna, WNBA icon, and one of the most decorated women’s basketball players in history, has been officially named the new Director of Player Development for the LSU women’s basketball team. The announcement sent ripples throughout the NCAA and resonated deeply with the LSU faithful.
This homecoming isn’t just a nostalgic headline — it’s a statement of intent. With Augustus returning to the program she once carried to national prominence, the Tigers are preparing to reignite their dynasty, leveraging the experience, wisdom, and sheer presence of a living legend.
Seimone Augustus isn’t just a name etched in LSU history — she is LSU women’s basketball. A native of Baton Rouge, she starred at Capitol High School and arrived at LSU as one of the most hyped recruits in college basketball history. She didn’t disappoint.
From 2002 to 2006, Augustus dominated the college landscape, leading LSU to three consecutive Final Fours and becoming a two-time National Player of the Year (2005 and 2006). She averaged 19.3 points per game over her career and left as the program’s second all-time leading scorer. Her iconic No. 33 jersey was retired in 2010.
Now, almost two decades later, Augustus is back on the sidelines — not as a player, but as a mentor and developer of future champions.
“It’s more than just coming back home,” Augustus said in a statement released by the university. “It’s about giving back to a program and a community that made me who I am. It’s time to elevate LSU women’s basketball to the next level, and I’m honored to be a part of that journey.”
The Director of Player Development is a crucial, often behind-the-scenes position, especially in elite programs like LSU’s. While the title may not carry the same weight as a head or assistant coach, the role is pivotal in shaping the lives, habits, and growth of student-athletes both on and off the court.
In her new capacity, Augustus will oversee player mentorship, life skills, career planning, personal development, and community engagement. She’ll work directly with student-athletes to ensure they have the support system needed to succeed academically, socially, and athletically.
“Seimone brings unparalleled knowledge of the game, but more importantly, she brings heart,” LSU head coach Kim Mulkey said. “Her experience at every level — high school, college, pro, and international — gives her a perspective few can match. She’s lived it all, and now she’s going to help guide our players through their own journeys.”
Coach Kim Mulkey has never shied away from bold moves. Since arriving at LSU in 2021, Mulkey has injected energy and expectations into a program long associated with excellence. Just two seasons into her tenure, she led the Tigers to a national championship in 2023, proving her formula works.
Bringing Seimone Augustus into the fold is another masterstroke.
Mulkey and Augustus represent two pillars of women’s basketball greatness. Mulkey was the fiery point guard for Louisiana Tech and a national title-winning coach at Baylor. Augustus, the smooth-scoring savant, helped popularize women’s basketball with her graceful dominance in college and her WNBA stardom.
Now, they’re teaming up in Baton Rouge with one shared goal: build a sustained dynasty.
“This is more than just a hire. This is family,” Mulkey said. “Seimone’s presence elevates us immediately. She knows what it means to wear LSU across your chest. Our girls are going to learn from the best.”
Augustus’s influence goes far beyond LSU. She was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2006 WNBA Draft by the Minnesota Lynx and quickly established herself as one of the league’s premier scorers. A four-time WNBA champion, six-time All-Star, and Olympic gold medalist, Augustus brought a silky midrange game and quiet intensity to the court.
In 2011, she led the Lynx to their first WNBA championship and earned Finals MVP honors. Her role in building a dynasty in Minnesota — with future Hall of Famers like Maya Moore, Lindsay Whalen, and Rebekkah Brunson — cemented her legacy as one of the WNBA’s all-time greats.
Off the court, Augustus became a trailblazer as well. She has spoken openly about social justice, LGBTQ+ rights, and equality in sports. She’s long been a symbol of grace, resilience, and courage.
Now, she returns to LSU not just as a former star, but as a role model with a resume that demands attention and respect.
Seimone Augustus’s presence on LSU’s staff will almost certainly send shockwaves through recruiting circles. High school prospects today may not have watched Augustus in her college prime, but her WNBA legacy and cultural impact remain fresh.
Her involvement with the program adds yet another dimension to LSU’s pitch — development from one of the greatest to ever do it.
“You talk about player development? Who better than Seimone Augustus?” said ESPN recruiting analyst Lila Thompson. “She’s lived every stage of a basketball dream. That kind of mentor — someone who gets it — is invaluable to young athletes.”
With Mulkey at the helm and Augustus now guiding personal development, LSU’s infrastructure is poised to become the gold standard in women’s college basketball.
The announcement of Seimone Augustus’s return is more than just a headline for sports pages. It’s a cultural moment — especially in Louisiana.
For Baton Rouge, this is personal. Augustus is a hometown hero whose career inspired generations of young athletes. She represented hope, possibility, and pride for communities that often felt overlooked.
Now she returns, not as a guest, but as a leader. Her new role signals a full-circle moment not just for Augustus but for a program and fan base that once watched her electrify the PMAC (Pete Maravich Assembly Center).
“She gave so much to us when she was a player,” said longtime LSU fan and season ticket holder Andrea Broussard. “To have her back now? It just feels right. It’s like a queen coming home to rule her kingdom again.”
With Augustus onboard, LSU is primed to double down on its ambitions. The team has already built a strong foundation, and now, the emotional and strategic boost that comes with her hire could be the missing piece in sustaining long-term dominance.
For Augustus, the journey has come full circle. But don’t expect her to dwell in nostalgia. She’s here to build, push, and elevate.
“This is just the beginning,” Augustus said. “There’s work to do, championships to chase, and young women to empower. Let’s get to it.”
The hire of Seimone Augustus marks a significant moment for the broader landscape of women’s sports. Increasingly, elite former players are moving into influential off-the-court roles — not just as figureheads, but as impactful leaders shaping the next generation.
Augustus isn’t just returning to LSU; she’s helping redefine what leadership in women’s sports looks like. It’s a reminder that player development goes beyond drills and stats — it’s about life, growth, and empowerment.
In a sport increasingly defined by big personalities, viral highlights, and high-stakes recruiting battles, the Tigers now have one of the most powerful voices in women’s basketball history back in their corner.
And to the rest of the NCAA: LSU just got a whole lot stronger.
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