Kim Mulkey’s Revolutionary Reign: A Thorough Chronicle of Her LSU Legacy

In April 2021, the landscape of women’s college basketball shifted dramatically with a single decision. Kim Mulkey, a three-time national championship-winning coach at Baylor University, shocked the sports world by announcing she would be leaving the powerhouse she built to return to her home state of Louisiana as head coach of the LSU Tigers women’s basketball team. To many, it was unexpected. To Mulkey, it was destiny.

Her arrival wasn’t merely a coaching hire — it was a cultural event. With the flair of a native daughter returning home and the resume of a living legend, Mulkey’s entrance into Baton Rouge signaled more than a program overhaul; it was the beginning of a revolution.

Chapter 1: The Legend Before the Legacy

Before unpacking Mulkey’s LSU era, it’s crucial to understand the weight of the legend that preceded it. As head coach of the Baylor Lady Bears from 2000 to 2021, Mulkey transformed a middling program into a perennial powerhouse. Her accolades included three NCAA national championships (2005, 2012, and 2019), multiple Final Four appearances, and a .854 career winning percentage — among the highest in college basketball history.

Mulkey wasn’t just a coach; she was a spectacle. Known for her fiery courtside demeanor and flamboyant outfits, she had the ability to steal the spotlight — not with ego, but with unapologetic passion and authenticity. Mulkey’s brand of coaching combined tactical brilliance with emotional leadership, a mix that won over players and fans alike.

Chapter 2: Coming Home to Heal and Rebuild

Mulkey’s decision to join LSU was about more than basketball. Born in Santa Ana, California, but raised in Hammond, Louisiana, she always carried the Bayou in her blood. Returning home was both a personal pilgrimage and a professional challenge. LSU, despite a storied past under Sue Gunter and Pokey Chatman, had struggled in recent years, having not reached a Final Four since 2008.

Upon arriving, Mulkey inherited a team that had finished 9–13 in the 2020–21 season and hadn’t won an NCAA tournament game since 2014. But true to form, Mulkey brought immediate energy, urgency, and expectation.

“We’re going to fill this arena,” she declared at her introductory press conference, as she gestured toward the rafters of the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. “We’re going to make people care.”

Chapter 3: Year One — Culture Overhaul and Immediate Results

Mulkey’s impact was immediate. In her debut season (2021–22), LSU finished with a 26–6 record, their best mark in over a decade. The Tigers went from SEC afterthought to a top-3 seed in the NCAA tournament, showcasing a remarkable turnaround.

The key? Culture. Mulkey instilled a sense of accountability, family, and relentless competitiveness. She emphasized fundamentals but also celebrated personality. Players felt free to express themselves — a hallmark of Mulkey’s player-centric philosophy.

Behind the leadership of standout forward Khayla Pointer and emerging stars like Alexis Morris, LSU shocked ranked opponents and climbed the AP Poll. Though their tournament run ended earlier than hoped, the message was clear: LSU was back, and it didn’t take long.

Chapter 4: The Angel Reese Era and a Championship for the Ages

If Year One was promising, Year Two (2022–23) was transcendent. Mulkey aggressively attacked the transfer portal, bringing in high-profile talents like Angel Reese from Maryland, the dynamic forward who would become the face of LSU’s resurgence.

Reese, nicknamed the “Bayou Barbie” for her combination of grit and glamour, embodied the new LSU identity — fierce, confident, and unafraid. Alongside her were other key transfers and recruits like Flau’jae Johnson, an emerging star who also balanced a budding music career.

The chemistry was instant. LSU stormed through the season, finishing with a 34–2 record and securing a No. 3 seed in the NCAA tournament. Along the way, Mulkey — always the show-woman — kept national attention focused not just on her players but on her own technicolor sideline fits and pointed media soundbites.

Then came the crowning moment: the 2023 NCAA Championship Game.

Facing the formidable Iowa Hawkeyes and their superstar Caitlin Clark, LSU played the game of a lifetime. Reese recorded a double-double, and the team broke offensive records en route to a 102–85 victory. It marked the first national championship in LSU women’s basketball history — a feat Mulkey accomplished in just her second year.

Chapter 5: Controversy, Confidence, and Cultural Commentary

No story about Mulkey’s reign at LSU would be complete without acknowledging the controversies and conversations that swirled around the program — often centered around Mulkey herself or star player Angel Reese.

During the 2023 championship run, a viral moment saw Reese taunting Caitlin Clark with a “you can’t see me” gesture and pointing to her ring finger. Critics called it unsportsmanlike; defenders called it unapologetically competitive. Mulkey, for her part, backed her players completely.

“She’s a baller. That’s who she is,” Mulkey said of Reese. “You want fire? You want heart? Then don’t flinch when it burns a little.”

Mulkey has also faced criticism for avoiding public statements on certain social issues, choosing instead to focus on coaching. While some faulted her for not using her platform in more explicitly activist ways, others respected her focus and consistency. Either way, her choices sparked broader conversations about the role of coaches, especially women, in the cultural zeitgeist.

Chapter 6: Recruiting Dominance and the Future

As of 2024, Mulkey’s recruiting continues to redefine the standard at LSU. With top-rated classes and transfer portal wins, she’s created a destination program — not just for talent, but for attention. The team regularly plays in front of sold-out crowds, and their games draw major television ratings.

Mulkey has built a program that combines old-school fundamentals with new-school flair. Her players are influencers and competitors, social media stars and workhorses. Under her watch, LSU is more than a basketball team; it’s a cultural brand.

Looking ahead, the Tigers are positioned to be annual contenders. With Mulkey’s proven ability to win with different types of rosters, it’s not a question of “if” LSU will win again — but “when.”

Chapter 7: More Than Wins — A Southern Legacy

What makes Kim Mulkey’s reign at LSU revolutionary isn’t just the rapid success or the trophies — though those are significant. It’s the way she has reimagined what leadership looks like in a high-profile women’s sport.

Mulkey has leaned into her Southern roots, her femininity, and her fire. She doesn’t apologize for her emotional outbursts, her controversial opinions, or her glittering jackets. She shows that a woman can command authority without compromising personality.

In doing so, she’s created a blueprint not just for winning, but for doing so authentically. For LSU fans, she’s more than a coach; she’s a symbol of pride, power, and Louisiana grit.

Epilogue: The Reign Continues

As of the 2024–25 season, Kim Mulkey shows no signs of slowing down. With more hardware in her sights and more headlines inevitably to come, her reign at LSU is still unfolding — but already historic.

In just a few short years, she has elevated the LSU Tigers from afterthoughts to icons. And if history is any indication, Kim Mulkey is just getting started.

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