Kim Mulkey, head coach of the LSU Tigers women’s basketball team, has been named the Associated Press Women’s Basketball Coach of the Year for the third consecutive season, solidifying her legacy as one of the sport’s most accomplished leaders. This latest honor follows a remarkable 2024–25 campaign in which Mulkey guided LSU to a 31–6 overall record, a 12–4 mark in SEC play, and an Elite Eight appearance in the NCAA Tournament
Mulkey’s coaching prowess has been evident since her arrival at LSU in 2021. In her inaugural season, she orchestrated a dramatic turnaround, leading the Tigers to a 26–6 record after inheriting a team that had finished 9–13 the previous year . Her impact was immediate and profound, earning her the AP Coach of the Year award in her first season with the program.
Under Mulkey’s leadership, LSU has consistently been a force in women’s college basketball. The 2023 season saw the Tigers capture their first national championship, a testament to Mulkey’s ability to build and sustain a winning culture . Her tenure at LSU has been marked by a commitment to excellence, both on and off the court, and a relentless drive to elevate the program to new heights.
This third consecutive AP Coach of the Year award places Mulkey in elite company, joining Geno Auriemma and Muffet McGraw as the only coaches to achieve this feat . Her career accomplishments, including multiple national titles and a Hall of Fame induction, underscore her status as a transformative figure in women’s basketball
As LSU continues to thrive under her guidance, Kim Mulkey’s influence on the program and the sport at large remains profound and enduring.
