Kimberly Duane Mulkey (born May 17, 1962) is an American college basketball coach and former player. Since 2021, she has been the head coach for Louisiana State University's women's basketball team. A Pan-American gold medalist in 1983 and Olympic gold medalist in 1984, she is the first coach in NCAA basketball history to win national championships as a player, assistant coach, and head coach.

In 2007, Mulkey penned her autobiography, titled Won't Back Down: Teams, Dreams and Family.

Youth

Kim Mulkey was born in Santa Ana, California, Mulkey herself had tested positive for the virus earlier in the season, According to CBS News, her comments were later described by "many basketball fans" as "misinformed, dangerous and irresponsible". Connecticut head coach Geno Auriemma later defended Mulkey's comments, noting the complexity of decisions during the pandemic particularly in the context of college sports.

LSU (2021–present)

thumb|right|Mulkey (foreground left) at the White House event celebrating the LSU Tigers winning the 2022–23 NCAA National Championship

After 21 seasons at Baylor, Mulkey departed for LSU in April 2021. In her second season, she led the Tigers to win the national championship for her fourth lifetime win as head coach.

Controversies

Mulkey has been the subject of several controversies during her coaching career. Several players defended Mulkey. In 2022, Mulkey received criticism when she refused to comment about Griner's detention in Russia.

In March 2024, Mulkey threatened to sue the Washington Post for an upcoming article she described as a "hit piece".

Personal life

In 1987, Mulkey married Randy Robertson, whom she met at Louisiana Tech where he was the starting quarterback for the Bulldogs for the 1974 and 1975 seasons. They have two children together: son Kramer, a professional baseball player and collegiate All-American at Louisiana State University, and daughter McKenzie, who played both basketball and softball for Baylor. During her marriage to Robertson, she was known as Kim Mulkey-Robertson. Mulkey and Robertson divorced in 2006.

alt=In a basketball stadium, the jumbotron shows a person smiling in a blonde wig and red patterned top. A number of colorfully dressed people are lined up on the basketball court. |thumb|A fan shows off a blonde wig and patterned sweater during the annual [[LSU "Dress Like Kim Mulkey Night" competition]]

Mulkey is known for her exuberant fashion worn during games. She has said her style is inspired by Louisiana.

National Championships

{| class="wikitable"

!| Year

!| Opponent

!| Score

!| Record

|- align="center"

| 2005|| Michigan State Spartans || 84–62 || 33–3

|- align="center"

| 2012|| Notre Dame Fighting Irish || 80–61 || 40–0

|-align="center"

| 2019 || Notre Dame Fighting Irish || 82–81 || 37–1

|-align="center"

| 2023 || Iowa Hawkeyes || 102–85 || 34–2

|-

! colspan=3 | National Championships

! colspan=2 | 4

|}

Awards and honors

  • 2012 – Russell Athletic/WBCA National Coach of the Year

See also

  • List of college women's basketball career coaching wins leaders

References

</references>

  • Baylor profile