LSU Tigers women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey was honored as The Associated Press Women’s Basketball Coach of the Year for the third time in her illustrious career.

LSU Tigers women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey was honored as The Associated Press Women’s Basketball Coach of the Year for the third time in her illustrious career.

The announcement came during a press conference at the Women’s Final Four NCAA tournament on Thursday, March 31, 2022, in Minneapolis.

 

Mulkey, who previously secured this prestigious award in 2012 and 2019 while at Baylor, expressed deep gratitude towards her players and coaching staff. She emphasized that such recognition is a testament to the collective effort and belief of her team. During her speech, Mulkey became visibly emotional when acknowledging her family, who remained in Texas, highlighting the personal sacrifices made throughout her coaching journey.

 

Taking the helm at LSU, Mulkey orchestrated a remarkable turnaround, leading the Tigers to a 26-6 record—a significant improvement from the previous season’s 9-13 finish. This achievement marked the greatest turnaround by a first-year head coach in Southeastern Conference history. Under her guidance, LSU climbed to No. 6 in the AP poll and hosted the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament. Reflecting on the season, Mulkey compared it to her inaugural year at Baylor, emphasizing the importance of setting realistic goals and celebrating incremental successes.

 

Mulkey’s coaching philosophy centers on building trust and instilling belief within her players. She acknowledged the dedication of her team, stating, “This doesn’t happen without players who allow you to coach them and buy into a system.” Her leadership not only revitalized the LSU women’s basketball program but also reenergized its fan base, setting a new program attendance record with 129,008 fans throughout the season.

 

As the only individual in college basketball history to have won national championships as a player, assistant coach, and head coach, Mulkey’s latest accolade further cements her legacy in the sport. Her emotional response underscores the passion and commitment she brings to the game, inspiring both her players and the broader basketball community.