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Kim Mulkey: Legendary Basketball Coach
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Kim Mulkey is a legendary figure in women's college basketball, renowned for her uncompromising coaching style and unparalleled success on the court.

 

Kim's Trailblazing Player and Scholar

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Kim Mulkey's early life and playing career were marked by exceptional achievements both on and off the court. Born on May 17, 1962, in Santa Ana, California, she grew up in Tickfaw, Louisiana, where her athletic prowess was evident from a young age.
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At Hammond High School, Mulkey led the basketball team to four consecutive state championships, amassing an impressive record of 136-5 and setting a then-national record of 4,075 career points.
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Her academic excellence was equally remarkable, as she graduated as her class valedictorian with a perfect 4.0 GPA.
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Mulkey's collegiate career at Louisiana Tech University was nothing short of extraordinary. As an All-American point guard, she guided the Lady Techsters to two national championships, winning the AIAW title in 1981 and the inaugural NCAA championship in 1982.
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Her exceptional playmaking abilities and leadership on the court earned her the distinction of being the first recipient of the prestigious Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award in 1984, recognizing her as the nation's top college senior under 5-6 (1.68 m).
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Mulkey's accomplishments as a player laid the foundation for her future success as a coach, instilling in her the winning mentality and competitive drive that would become hallmarks of her coaching philosophy.
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Coaching Dominance Across Programs

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After an illustrious playing career at Louisiana Tech, Mulkey began her coaching journey at her alma mater, serving as an assistant coach from 1985 to 1996 and associate head coach from 1996 to 2000. During this period, the Lady Techsters won the 1988 NCAA national championship and made multiple Final Four appearances.
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In 2000, Mulkey was hired as the head coach at Baylor University, inheriting a program that had won just 7 games the previous season. She quickly turned the Bears into a powerhouse, leading them to 3 NCAA titles in 2005, 2012, and 2019, while dominating the Big 12 conference with 21 regular season and tournament championships.
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In 2021, Mulkey returned to her home state of Louisiana, taking over as head coach at LSU. In just her second season, she guided the Tigers to an improbable national championship in 2023, becoming the first coach in NCAA history to win titles with two different programs.
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Mulkey's coaching career has been defined by sustained excellence, with a combined 721 wins and 4 national titles across her stints at Louisiana Tech, Baylor, and LSU.
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Kim's Prestigious Accolades and Honors

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Kim Mulkey's achievements and honors are a testament to her unparalleled success as a coach and player. She has been inducted into multiple prestigious halls of fame, including the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in 2000 and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2020, cementing her legacy as one of the greatest figures in the sport.
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Mulkey has been recognized as the National Coach of the Year on eight occasions by various entities, including the Associated Press, WBCA, and USBWA. She has also been named the Big 12 Coach of the Year eight times, reflecting her dominance in the conference during her tenure at Baylor.
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Additionally, Mulkey has received the New York Athletic Club's Winged Foot Award after each of her national championship victories as a head coach, honoring her outstanding achievements.
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