Kim Mulkey’s Transformative Reign: Netflix has released a comprehensive documentary chronicling the remarkable tenure of Kim Mulkey as head coach of the LSU Tigers women’s basketball team, beginning with her arrival in Baton Rouge and extending through a jaw-dropping series of milestones that have redefined what greatness looks like in women’s college basketball. The film, titled Mulkey: Grit, Gold, and Glory, dives headfirst into her journey—one built on passion, discipline, and unapologetic excellence. From the moment she stepped onto campus, Mulkey made it clear: LSU wasn’t going to be just another stop in her Hall of Fame career—it was going to be the crown jewel.
When Mulkey arrived in 2021, LSU was a proud program in need of a pulse. It had history. It had talent. But it hadn’t tasted elite success in over a decade. The Tigers hadn’t reached a Final Four since 2008, hadn’t felt the intensity of national championship contention in years. But Mulkey, who had already won three national titles at Baylor and was one of the most successful coaches in NCAA history, saw opportunity. Not just to win, but to build a powerhouse. What followed was nothing short of a basketball revolution. Within two seasons, she delivered LSU’s first-ever NCAA women’s basketball national championship, and in doing so, reinvigorated not just a team, but a fan base, a university, and an entire state.
The Netflix documentary captures this transformation in breathtaking detail, blending never-before-seen locker room footage, exclusive interviews, behind-the-scenes looks at practices and recruiting, and personal reflections from Mulkey herself. The film paints a portrait of a coach who is as fiery as she is calculated, as fashionable as she is focused. Her presence is magnetic, her leadership uncompromising. Players speak of her not just as a coach, but as a force—someone who pushes them to levels they never thought they could reach. Opponents describe her teams as relentless, tactical, and almost eerily synchronized. Every possession matters. Every detail is accounted for. That’s the Mulkey blueprint.
At the heart of her reign is the culture shift she ignited. When Mulkey took over, LSU wasn’t void of talent—it was void of belief. Her first meetings with players were as much about the mental game as the X’s and O’s. She challenged them to expect more, to demand more of themselves and each other. Within months, the program’s identity had shifted from hopeful to hungry. Mulkey’s tireless recruiting efforts brought in star power, but her development skills turned players into legends. She didn’t just land high-profile names; she made them better. Sharper. Meaner on defense, more poised under pressure, and unified in purpose.
Perhaps no moment in her LSU legacy shines brighter than the 2023 national championship run. It was Mulkey at her most masterful—juggling egos, drawing up game-changing adjustments, and turning doubters into believers. LSU defeated Iowa in the title game, and it was more than just a win—it was a coronation. That victory sent shockwaves through the sport. A coach in her second year at a new program had taken them all the way. She proved, once again, that her brand of excellence travels.
The documentary gives particular attention to that title-winning season, peeling back the layers of what it took to get there. From grueling practices to late-night film sessions, from team dinners to teary-eyed team meetings, Mulkey: Grit, Gold, and Glory shows just how much goes into building a champion. The film also addresses the pressures and criticisms that come with Mulkey’s bold personality. She’s polarizing. She’s loud. She wears sequins on the sideline. But no one questions the results. If you’re looking for a coach who conforms, Mulkey isn’t it. But if you want wins, banners, and relentless accountability—she’s the gold standard.
Interviews with current and former players add emotional depth to the story. Athletes speak candidly about Mulkey’s high expectations and how, at times, they felt overwhelmed. But they also acknowledge that she brings out something in her players that few coaches can—an unshakable confidence, a competitive fire, and an understanding that greatness isn’t given, it’s earned. For many, playing for Mulkey changed not just their careers, but their lives. Several former players share stories of coming back to LSU years later, marveling at how the program has grown, and crediting Mulkey with building a legacy that extends beyond wins and losses.
One of the most powerful segments of the film features Mulkey discussing her roots. Raised in Tickfaw, Louisiana, she grew up tough, blue-collar, and unafraid of hard work. Those values never left her. She went on to become a college basketball star at Louisiana Tech, winning a national title as a player and later as an assistant coach. Her return to her home state to lead LSU was always about more than basketball. It was personal. The documentary captures that emotional arc beautifully, using home video, childhood photos, and stories from longtime friends and family to show the woman behind the whistle.
The Netflix feature doesn’t shy away from controversy, either. It explores Mulkey’s sometimes combative relationship with media, her opinions on the direction of college athletics, and her handling of hot-button issues that have made headlines over the years. But rather than take a side, the film lets viewers see the full picture—giving Mulkey the space to explain herself while allowing critics to voice their perspectives. The result is a nuanced portrayal of a complex figure—one who, for better or worse, refuses to be anything but herself.
Her fashion choices, often the talk of social media, get their own segment in the documentary. Sequined blazers, tiger-striped jackets, bold colors—you name it, she’s worn it. But as Mulkey jokes in the film, “If they’re talking about my outfit, at least they’re talking about LSU women’s basketball.” Her unique style has become part of her brand—flash meets substance—and in an era where personality drives attention, Mulkey has mastered both.
