Kim Mulkey is a highly accomplished American basketball coach and former player. Currently the head coach for LSU's women's basketball team, she has achieved the unique distinction of winning national championships as a player, assistant coach, and head coach in NCAA basketball. Her illustrious career includes Olympic and Pan-American gold medals, and she has been involved in the NCAA women's tournament in almost every year since its inception.
May 17, 1962: Kim Mulkey is born
Kimberly Duane Mulkey was born on May 17, 1962.
1974: Randy Robertson Begins Playing for Louisiana Tech
Randy Robertson starts his career as the starting quarterback for the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs in 1974.
1975: Randy Robertson Completes Second Season with Louisiana Tech
Randy Robertson concludes his second season as the starting quarterback for the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs in 1975.
1981: Mulkey Wins AIAW National Championship
Kim Mulkey wins the AIAW national championship as a player with Louisiana Tech University in 1981. This marked a significant achievement before the NCAA women's tournament was established.
1982: Mulkey Wins Inaugural NCAA National Championship
Kim Mulkey wins the inaugural NCAA national championship as a player with Louisiana Tech University in 1982, establishing herself as a top player in the newly formed tournament.
1982: NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament Begins
The NCAA women's basketball tournament began in 1982, marking a significant milestone in women's college basketball.
1983: Mulkey Wins Gold and Silver Medals with USA National Team
In 1983, Kim Mulkey experiences both victory and defeat with the USA National women's basketball team. She wins a gold medal at the Pan American Games in Caracas, Venezuela, and a silver medal at the World Championships after the team wins six games and loses two.
1983: Mulkey Wins Pan American Gold Medal
Kim Mulkey wins a gold medal at the 1983 Pan American Games as part of the USA National women's basketball team.
1984: Mulkey Wins Olympic Gold Medal and Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award
Kim Mulkey achieves two significant milestones in 1984: she wins an Olympic gold medal with the USA National women's basketball team and becomes the inaugural winner of the women's Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award, recognizing the top college senior under 5'6" in women's basketball.
1984: Mulkey Wins Gold Medals at Jones Cup and Summer Olympics
Kim Mulkey wins gold medals with the USA National women's basketball team at the 1984 Jones Cup and the 1984 Summer Olympics, further cementing her status as a top player on the international stage.
1985: Mulkey Begins Coaching Career at Louisiana Tech
Kim Mulkey begins her coaching career in 1985 as an assistant coach at Louisiana Tech under Leon Barmore.
1987: Mulkey Marries Randy Robertson
Kim Mulkey marries Randy Robertson in 1987.
1988: Mulkey Wins NCAA Championship as Assistant Coach
As an assistant coach at Louisiana Tech, Kim Mulkey wins the NCAA championship in 1988, showcasing her coaching abilities.
1996: Mulkey Promoted to Associate Head Coach at Louisiana Tech
Kim Mulkey is promoted to associate head coach at Louisiana Tech in 1996, recognizing her growing influence and expertise within the coaching staff.
2000: Mulkey Takes Over Baylor Program
Kim Mulkey takes over the Baylor women's basketball program in 2000, inheriting a team that had finished the previous season 7–20 and last in the Big 12 Conference.
2000: Mulkey Inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame
Kim Mulkey is inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in 2000, recognizing her significant contributions to the sport.
2000: Mulkey Leaves Louisiana Tech for Baylor
Kim Mulkey departs Louisiana Tech in 2000 after a successful tenure as an assistant and associate head coach, marking a significant transition in her career.
2003: Mulkey Misses NCAA Tournament
Kim Mulkey is not involved in the NCAA tournament in 2003, the only year besides 1985 when she doesn't participate as a player or coach.
2005: Mulkey Wins First National Championship as Head Coach
Kim Mulkey wins her first NCAA national championship as a head coach with Baylor in 2005.
2006: Mulkey and Robertson Divorce
Kim Mulkey and Randy Robertson divorce in 2006, ending their marriage.
2007: Mulkey Publishes Autobiography
Kim Mulkey publishes her autobiography, "Won't Back Down: Teams, Dreams and Family," in 2007.
2012: Mulkey Leads Baylor to an Undefeated Season and National Championship
In 2012, Kim Mulkey leads Baylor to an undefeated season (40-0), the first in program history, culminating in a national championship victory.
2013: Mulkey Criticized for Comments about Sexual Orientation
Kim Mulkey faces criticism in 2013 when star Baylor player Brittney Griner reveals to ESPN that Mulkey advised student athletes to keep their sexual orientation private, suggesting that being openly gay could negatively impact the program's reputation at a religious school and hinder recruiting efforts.
2014: Griner Details Mulkey's Comments in Memoir
Brittney Griner further elaborates on Kim Mulkey's comments regarding sexual orientation in her 2014 memoir, shedding light on the pain caused by this experience.
2019: Mulkey Wins Third National Championship with Baylor
Kim Mulkey wins her third NCAA national championship as a head coach with Baylor in 2019.
2020: Mulkey Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
Kim Mulkey is inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2020, further cementing her legacy as a basketball legend.
2020: NCAA Tournament Cancelled Due to COVID-19
The 2020 NCAA tournament is cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, marking a significant disruption to college basketball and preventing teams from competing for the national championship.
April 2021: Mulkey Departs Baylor for LSU
Kim Mulkey leaves Baylor in April 2021 after 21 seasons to become the head coach of LSU's women's basketball team, marking a significant change in her career.
2021: Mulkey Sparks Controversy with COVID-19 Testing Comments
During the 2021 NCAA tournament, held in an event isolation "bubble" due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Kim Mulkey sparks controversy by advocating for the end of COVID-19 testing on tournament players. She makes these comments during a press conference after her team, Baylor, loses to UConn in the Elite Eight round. Mulkey's remarks draw criticism from "many basketball fans" who consider them "misinformed, dangerous, and irresponsible," according to CBS News.
2021: Mulkey Becomes Head Coach at LSU
Kim Mulkey becomes the head coach for Louisiana State University's women's basketball team in 2021.
2022: Mulkey Criticized for Silence on Griner's Detention
Kim Mulkey receives criticism in 2022 for refusing to comment on Brittney Griner's detention in Russia, sparking further controversy surrounding her handling of sensitive situations.
2023: Mulkey Wins National Championship with LSU
Kim Mulkey wins her fourth NCAA national championship as a head coach, this time with LSU, in 2023.
March 2024: Mulkey Threatens Legal Action and Criticizes Media Coverage
In March 2024, Kim Mulkey threatens to sue the Washington Post over an upcoming article she perceives as a "hit piece." She also criticizes a Los Angeles Times column as sexist for using the term "dirty debutantes" to describe her LSU team. While the writer of the Los Angeles Times column apologizes and the publication removes the term, deeming it inconsistent with their editorial standards, this incident further highlights Mulkey's contentious relationship with the media.