In a ceremony that stopped time in Baton Rouge and electrified the entire sports world, LSU unveiled a stunning bronze statue of head women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey—an unprecedented tribute that not only honors her incredible coaching career but also breaks new ground in the legacy of women’s athletics. Positioned prominently outside the Pete Maravich Assembly Center, the 12-foot statue of Mulkey now stands as a permanent reminder of a fiery, passionate, and revolutionary figure whose impact on women’s basketball has transformed LSU and elevated the sport’s national stature.
The moment was historic. Mulkey becomes the first woman in LSU Tigers basketball history—men’s or women’s—to receive such an honor. It marks a turning point in how college athletics institutions recognize the achievements of women in leadership, especially in the realm of sports that, for so long, have been defined by their male counterparts.
But if anyone was destined to shatter that ceiling and rewrite the rules of recognition, it was Kim Mulkey.
The Reveal: A Day Baton Rouge Will Never Forget
Under a cloudless Louisiana sky, fans gathered by the thousands to witness the statue’s unveiling. Former and current players, university officials, families donning gold-and-purple attire, and a who’s who of LSU legends all stood together in celebration. There were chants of “Mul-key! Mul-key!” echoing through the crowd, a thunderous ovation when the purple velvet curtain dropped, revealing the statue—depicting her in her trademark high heels, hands on hips, fire in her eyes.
LSU Athletic Director Scott Woodward called it “a moment of overdue recognition for a woman who redefined excellence at every level of the game.” Louisiana Governor Michelle DeLaune added, “This isn’t just about basketball—it’s about leadership, inspiration, and history being made.”
A Coaching Career Etched in Gold
To understand the magnitude of this tribute, one must trace the journey of Kim Mulkey—a journey paved with championships, defiant ambition, and unmatched results. Already a Hall of Famer when she arrived at LSU in 2021, Mulkey was a three-time national champion at Baylor and widely recognized as one of the most influential coaches in women’s basketball. However, her decision to return home to Louisiana and take over a struggling LSU program proved to be a masterstroke—not only for her career but for the entire trajectory of women’s hoops in the South.
In just her second season with LSU, Mulkey led the Tigers to the 2023 NCAA National Championship, the first in program history, defeating Caitlin Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes in an instant classic. Her unapologetic fire, glamorously defiant sideline outfits, and bold leadership turned the Tigers into a powerhouse brand. She built a roster that included stars like Angel Reese, Flau’jae Johnson, and Hailey Van Lith, all while turning LSU into a destination for elite transfers and top-tier high school talent.
By 2025, she had amassed over 750 career wins, four national titles (three with Baylor, one with LSU), and had elevated the women’s program to unprecedented commercial success—drawing record TV ratings, selling out arenas, and building an NIL empire for her players.
Leadership With Grit and Glitter
Mulkey has never been conventional—and that’s precisely why she’s adored.
Known for her passion and temper, her sideline demeanor often becomes a trending topic during tournament runs. Whether she’s yelling at officials, celebrating a game-winning shot, or offering brutally honest postgame soundbites, Kim Mulkey exudes raw emotion. But beneath the glittery jackets and rhinestone stilettos lies a leader with profound discipline, toughness, and relentless commitment to her players.
“She demands excellence,” said Angel Reese in a 2024 interview. “She’s going to push you every day, but she loves harder than anyone I’ve ever known. She believed in me when others doubted.”
Flau’jae Johnson added during the ceremony, “She showed us how to be fierce and feminine at the same time. We didn’t have to choose—we could be ballers, artists, divas, queens—all under Coach Mulkey’s roof.”
That duality—fierce and fashionable, bold and brilliant—is what makes Mulkey unique. She’s more than a coach. She’s a movement.
LSU’s Women’s Basketball Renaissance
When Mulkey took over in 2021, LSU was not in a good place. The program hadn’t sniffed a Final Four in over a decade and was struggling with recruiting, exposure, and confidence. Within months, the atmosphere changed. She inherited a team that had gone 9–13 the year prior and led them to a 26–6 record in her debut season.
Her charisma attracted national attention, and soon LSU women’s basketball was a mainstay on ESPN. Social media engagement skyrocketed. Attendance soared. Corporate sponsors lined up. Perhaps most importantly, young girls in Louisiana and beyond now saw basketball greatness with a new lens: through the prism of a powerful woman who looked like them, talked like them, and inspired them to dream.
LSU, under Mulkey, had become more than a basketball program. It became a cultural phenomenon.
Breaking Statues and Stereotypes
The statue itself—commissioned by a group of donors and sculpted by world-renowned artist Franco Lucchesi—is a masterclass in symbolism. Every detail speaks volumes: the confident stance, the custom heels, the whistle around her neck, and a slight smile that suggests defiance and triumph.
“This statue is not just for me,” Mulkey said in her speech. “It’s for every little girl who was told she was too loud, too emotional, too ambitious. I want her to see this and know she can lead, she can win, and she can stand tall.”
Mulkey now joins an elite fraternity of LSU sports figures immortalized in bronze—names like Shaquille O’Neal, Pete Maravich, and Skip Bertman. But she is the first woman, and notably, the first figure from women’s basketball, to be permanently honored in this way.
Cementing GOAT Status in Baton Rouge
Is Kim Mulkey the GOAT of LSU coaching? The argument is no longer hypothetical—it’s nearly irrefutable.
She brought the university its first women’s basketball championship, revolutionized the brand, and became a larger-than-life figure in the community. Her impact goes far beyond X’s and O’s—it extends into economics, gender equality, and cultural change.
And while Nick Saban, Les Miles, and Ed Orgeron brought football glory to the state, no coach has done more for their sport at LSU—relative to its prior standing—than Kim Mulkey.
Her teams win, her players thrive, and her influence has sparked a domino effect of investment in women’s sports across the country.
What Comes Next?
Though the statue cements her legacy, Kim Mulkey isn’t done yet. The 62-year-old coach shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, recent reports suggest LSU is finalizing a contract extension that would make her the highest-paid coach in women’s college basketball. She’s also been vocal about advocating for expanded NCAA tournament coverage, better NIL infrastructure, and facilities parity for female athletes.
There’s even speculation she may soon pivot to a role beyond coaching—whether it be in sports executive leadership, politics, or broadcasting. But for now, she remains laser-focused on chasing a fifth national title.
