Kim Mulkey is a college women’s basketball coaching legend. She has been one of the most successful and influential coaches in yachting for years. Whether it’s the player she was or what she has done since in coaching, Mulkey made a lasting imprint on the game. It is the story of a woman and her will, qualities that only increase with experience in basketball.
Early Life and Playing Career
Kim Mulkey was born on 17 May 1962 in Santa Ana, a lovely place located in California. But Edgar is a product of Tickfaw, Louisiana — an agricultural town with fewer than 500 residents that helped cultivate her basketball obsession. From early in her life, Mulkey stood out from the crowd with natural talent and competitive spirit. Her star power extended onto the hardwood when she was in high school at Hammond High School; there she won four straight state championships.
Mulkey then went on to be a collegiate player at Louisiana Tech and played under Leon Barmore’s Lady Techsters. Mulkey was part of two national championships in 1981 and ’82 at Louisiana Tech, where she forged her legacy as a player during college. She was a bulldog, quick, and had one of the best basketball IQs in Derry to be at that point guard position. In addition, Mulkey was part of the 1984 U.S. Olympic team in Los Angeles that brought back a gold medal as well and added a crown to her illustrious legacy.
Transition to Coaching
That would turn out to be Mulkey’s final season on the playing side of things, but even more important contributions from her were coming as a coach. She started her coaching career as an assistant at Louisiana Tech in 1985. Mulkey sharpened her skills and learned the nuances of leading a perennially successful program under Hall of Fame coach Leon Barmore.
Kim Mulkey faced a new chapter in 2000, agreeing to become the head coach of the Baylor University women’s basketball program. Baylor was not good at the time; in fact, it had never won an NCAA tournament game. A turnaround specialist, Mulkey transformed a losing program into one that so deeply believed in itself it never thought to lose. Her inaugural season at Baylor proved to be a sign of what the future would unlock, advancing as far as the NCAA Tournament for its history-making run.
Baylor University Building a Dynasty
Kim Mulkey’s illustrious coaching career ends as one of the greatest in college basketball history. In over 20 years, she built Baylor into a powerhouse, winning three national titles at the university (2005, 2012, and last season).
Winning the 2005 championship was especially important; no Baylor team had ever captured a national title in any sport before. The much-needed leadership from Mulkey guided the team to a brutal tournament, one that would further show just how dominant of a force Baylor was in college women’s basketball.
In 2011-2012, it was not only a record-setting season for Baylor but women’s college basketball as well. Her Baylor team, led by future NBA player Brittney Griner, went a perfect 40-0 that season—an unprecedented feat in NCAA women’s basketball. The team finished the regular season unbeaten, widely recognized as one of the best in college football history.
At Baylor, Mulkey was known for her ability to develop players long-term and bring them together as a team. Here, she recruited some of the best players in the Panhandle and created a winning culture on top-quality floors. Her teams were often tough, great on the defensive end, and played with a team-first mentality—three qualities that fit her approach as both player and coach.
Leadership & Coaching Philosophy
Yes, one might say Kim Mulkey is winning most in life partly because of her leadership and coaching philosophy. Mulkey is a fiery character on the sidelines often seen animated and loud at contests. This passion speaks to her love of the game and energizing desire for her players.
The root of Mulkey’s coaching philosophy is discipline, hard work, and accountability. Stahlke demands the most from her players and will pull all their potential out of them. She has created a family atmosphere among her teams, but she also knows who is going to be successful for the Lady Bears first and foremost. It has been through this combination of high expectations and personal support that she formed the deep team relationships that have marked her programs.
Another layer of Mulkey’s approach on the sidelines is her versatility. For her career, she has demonstrated that versatility by adapting to how the game is played and slowly inching toward a more modern NBA offense. It is this resilience that has kept her at the top of coaching circles for so long.
Challenges and Controversies
That would belong to Tennessee-Chattanooga arch-villain-cum-aerosol-manufactur… Over the years, Mulkey has taken heat for her no-holds-barred comments that have ruffled feathers as it pertains to sensitive subjects. In 2017, for instance, she was criticized after controversial comments on the Baylor University sexual assault scandal. It resulted in her saying sorry afterward but also illustrated the intensity of attention that follows a high-profile coach.
LSU & Continued Success
Back in April of 2021, Kim Mulkey made major news by leaving Baylor to take the reigns at Louisiana State University (LSU). It was an important move as Mulkey returned to her native Louisiana state for a fresh experience with the LSU Lady Tigers.
It did not take long for Mulkey to leave her mark at LSU. She started things off with a 26-6 debut season and took the Aztecs to the NCAA tournament. Her arrival lifted a program and brought new energy to LSU women’s basketball.
Exiting for LSU revolved around many factors, from proximity to family in Louisiana to a chance at another head coaching prize. The return of Mulkey to Louisiana has delighted fans and players alike as she adds even more luster to her rapidly building Hall of Fame career.
Opinion: Legacy and the women’s game
On the one hand, Kim Mulkey’s legacy in women’s basketball is beyond reproach. She is one of the few coaches to have won national championships as a player and coach, affirming her true understanding of this game itself and what it’s like to lead/genius one’s passion/squat rises.
Mulkey’s reach over basketball extends to the reviews. She has inspired young women, proving that anything is possible with hard work and dedication in the pursuit of excellence. Together, her career has opened the minds of other female athletes and coaches, allowing them to have dreams as big as perceive their potential.
Conclusion
Memorable moments in Lieberman’s career (via WNBA) Lieby retires is difficult to overstate the impact Nancy Lieberman has had on women’s basketball as a player and coach, an influence that will persist for generations. Mulkey goes down as one of the sport’s all-time greats, a legend who still has more chapters to write while providing guidance and hope for future generations with her greatness in this profession.