Breaking: LSU Tigers’ Kim Mulkey Named AP Women’s Basketball Coach of the Year for Third Consecutive Season
In a historic achievement, LSU Tigers women’s basketball head coach Kim Mulkey has been named the Associated Press (AP) Women’s Basketball Coach of the Year for the third straight season. The announcement, made Wednesday afternoon, solidifies Mulkey’s standing as one of the most dominant figures in college basketball coaching.
Mulkey, who took over the LSU program in 2021, has rapidly transformed the team into a national powerhouse. Her leadership, intensity, and winning pedigree have elevated LSU to elite status, culminating in a national championship in 2023 and multiple deep NCAA Tournament runs. Her third consecutive AP Coach of the Year honor places her in rare company and cements her legacy as one of the sport’s all-time greats.
“This honor isn’t about me—it’s about our players, our staff, and the incredible support from LSU and our fans,” Mulkey said during a brief press conference. “To win this award three years in a row is a reflection of what we’ve built together.”
Under Mulkey’s guidance, the Tigers finished the 2024–2025 regular season with a remarkable record, dominating SEC competition and securing a high seed in the NCAA tournament. Her aggressive coaching style, strategic brilliance, and ability to get the best out of her players have been key components in LSU’s sustained success.
Star players such as Angel Reese and Flau’jae Johnson have flourished under Mulkey’s coaching, gaining national attention for their performance, leadership, and poise on the court. Mulkey’s ability to recruit and develop top-tier talent has been crucial in elevating LSU’s national profile.
The AP Coach of the Year award is determined by a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters from across the country. Mulkey received a majority of the votes, outpacing strong competition from other elite coaches in the women’s college basketball landscape.
This latest accolade adds to Mulkey’s already extensive list of honors. Prior to her time at LSU, she won three national championships as the head coach of Baylor and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2020. She is the only person in college basketball history—male or female—to win national championships as a player, assistant coach, and head coach.
As LSU gears up for another potential championship run, Mulkey remains focused on the task ahead. “Awards are wonderful,” she said, “but our eyes are on what comes next. We’re not done yet.”
With three straight Coach of the Year titles and an ever-growing legacy, Kim Mulkey continues to set the standard in women’s college basketball.