Kim Mulkey Is Unable to Avoid Criticism as LSU Declines
Kim Mulkey, one of the most successful and polarizing figures in women’s college basketball, has found herself at the center of increasing scrutiny as LSU’s once-promising women’s basketball program has started to show signs of decline. Known for her fiery personality, high-profile success at Baylor, and the national championship she led the Tigers to in 2022, Mulkey’s tenure at LSU has taken a sharp turn. From intense expectations following her arrival in Baton Rouge to the questions that now surround her leadership and the program’s trajectory, Mulkey is struggling to avoid the criticism that increasingly surrounds her.
The Rise of Kim Mulkey: A Storied Career
Before we dive into the criticisms, it’s important to recognize the monumental achievements that have shaped Mulkey’s career. She first garnered national attention as a player at Louisiana Tech, where she helped the team secure two NCAA titles. After transitioning to coaching, Mulkey became synonymous with success at Baylor University, where she built a powerhouse program. She led Baylor to three NCAA championships (2005, 2012, and 2019) and cemented her reputation as one of the best coaches in the history of women’s college basketball.
Mulkey’s reputation for cultivating elite talent and demanding excellence from her players preceded her when she took the job at LSU in 2021. Fans and analysts alike were thrilled at the prospect of her bringing LSU back to national prominence. However, even though she achieved immediate success with a national title in her second year, the program’s current struggles have led to increasing disappointment among those who had high expectations.
The High Expectations and Quick Fall
Mulkey’s arrival at LSU was met with excitement. The Tigers’ women’s basketball team, though historically solid, had been unable to break through and capture an NCAA championship for years. In Mulkey, they found a coach with a proven track record, and expectations were sky-high. The fact that she led LSU to a national championship in 2022 only fueled the belief that the program would quickly return to elite status.
However, the 2023-2024 season saw the Tigers’ fortunes take a sharp downturn. With expectations set at an all-time high, LSU fell short of repeating their title-winning success. Mulkey’s team began to show vulnerability in ways that were previously unseen under her leadership. LSU struggled with consistency, facing defeats against teams that they were expected to beat. There were notable losses in the SEC, and the Tigers failed to make the deep tournament run that was anticipated. The shine of the 2022 title began to fade, and questions started swirling about whether Mulkey’s methods and her high-profile coaching style were still working at LSU.
A Disruptive Coaching Style
Kim Mulkey is no stranger to controversy. Her fiery demeanor, intense sideline presence, and blunt personality have earned her both admirers and critics throughout her career. While her toughness has been praised as the driving force behind her success, it has also alienated players, staff, and fans at times. Mulkey’s no-nonsense approach to coaching has often been described as abrasive and demanding, and while that style worked wonders at Baylor, it has appeared to clash with some of the newer players and dynamics at LSU.
The culture she fostered at Baylor was one of extreme discipline, excellence, and accountability. Mulkey built a team that was mentally tough and willing to endure tough training regimens. At LSU, however, this same approach has not always had the same effect. Critics have pointed to a mismatch between Mulkey’s established methods and the needs of LSU’s players. There have been reports of internal friction, with some players expressing dissatisfaction with Mulkey’s harsh style of communication.
At LSU, Mulkey’s intensity has been perceived as too much for some players, and her penchant for public criticism has sparked uncomfortable moments both on the court and off. While Mulkey has maintained that her methods are aimed at pushing her players to be their best, it is clear that her approach is beginning to take a toll on the cohesion of the team. In a sport where relationships between players and coaches are crucial for long-term success, Mulkey’s intensity may be causing more division than unity.
Recruiting Struggles and Player Development
Another area of concern for Mulkey at LSU is the program’s recruiting and player development. While she has successfully recruited high-profile players during her time at LSU, including the likes of Angel Reese, a standout talent, there have been growing concerns about the development of those players once they arrive on campus.
In recent seasons, LSU has struggled to get consistent performances from their recruits. Players who had shown immense promise in high school have faced difficulty adjusting to Mulkey’s system. Some observers have argued that Mulkey’s coaching style may not be the best fit for every player, particularly those who are used to a different type of coaching environment.
This issue has become particularly evident when comparing Mulkey’s work at LSU to her record at Baylor, where the program was a well-oiled machine that consistently churned out top-tier talent. At LSU, however, players appear to be underperforming relative to their talent, and the Tigers have been plagued by lapses in execution, with fundamentals breaking down at key moments.
A Strained Relationship with the LSU Fanbase
The relationship between Mulkey and the LSU fanbase has also begun to sour. While the 2022 national title cemented Mulkey’s place in LSU history, the struggles in subsequent seasons have led to increasing unrest among fans. The expectations that Mulkey would build a dynasty at LSU are not being met, and there is a growing sense of disappointment.
Many LSU supporters have voiced their concerns about the team’s direction, questioning whether Mulkey can continue to lead the program back to championship contention. Despite her historical success, some fans have begun to call for a change, feeling that her tactics may be out of sync with the current needs of the program.
Criticism of Mulkey has also been fueled by her often polarizing public persona. Her outspokenness on issues outside of basketball, particularly regarding her stance on political matters, has turned some fans off. While Mulkey’s freedom to express her views is undoubtedly her right, it has led to a divide among LSU supporters, with some fans wondering if Mulkey’s off-court distractions are affecting the team’s focus and performance.
Challenges in a Competitive SEC
The Southeastern Conference (SEC) has become one of the most competitive in women’s college basketball, with teams like South Carolina, Tennessee, and Mississippi State consistently fielding top-tier programs. LSU’s struggles to maintain dominance within the SEC are another source of concern. In a league so tough, even the best teams can fall into mediocrity if they aren’t operating at their peak potential.
South Carolina, under head coach Dawn Staley, has been a perennial powerhouse in women’s college basketball, and Tennessee remains a top program with a storied history. LSU’s inability to consistently compete with these programs in recent seasons has underscored the difficulties Mulkey faces in the SEC, where success is not guaranteed and every game is a battle.
While Mulkey’s success at Baylor was unquestionable, she is now facing the reality that the competition in the SEC is fierce and that being the best in the conference is no easy task. The pressure is mounting on her to navigate this challenging landscape and lead LSU back to the top.
Moving Forward: Can Mulkey Turn It Around?
Despite the criticism, it is important to remember that Kim Mulkey is an elite coach. Her track record speaks for itself, and her ability to recruit and develop talent remains among the best in the country. However, the challenges she faces at LSU are real, and the questions surrounding her ability to lead the program to sustained success have only grown louder.
For Mulkey to avoid further criticism, she will need to adapt. Her coaching style may need to evolve to better suit the players on her roster, and she will need to foster stronger relationships with her team. Moreover, LSU’s recruiting and player development must improve if the Tigers are to return to national title contention.
In the cutthroat world of women’s college basketball, success is often fleeting, and the pressure to perform is immense. Mulkey’s ability to navigate this period of adversity will be the true test of her legacy at LSU. If she can adjust to the challenges at hand, LSU could very well rise again. However, if the program continues to falter, Mulkey may find herself at a crossroads, facing even more intense criticism in the years to come.
As LSU fans look ahead, they hope that Kim Mulkey can weather the storm and restore their beloved Tigers to championship glory. But for now, the decline of LSU women’s basketball has left many wondering if Mulkey’s time at LSU will be defined by her early success or her current struggles.