Who is lsu women's basketball coach

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Last updated: April 17, 2026

Quick Answer: The current head coach of the LSU women's basketball team is Kim Mulkey, who was hired in April 2021 after leading Baylor to three national championships. She replaced Nikki Fargas, who coached LSU from 2011 to 2021.

Key Facts

Kim Mulkey was hired as LSU's head coach on April 21, 2021, after 21 seasons at Baylor
Under Mulkey, LSU won the 2023 NCAA National Championship, its first in program history
Mulkey is a three-time national champion head coach, including titles with Baylor in 2005, 2012, and 2019
She became the fastest coach in women’s basketball history to reach 100 wins at LSU in just 117 games
Mulkey previously played for Louisiana Tech and won a national title as a player in 1981

Overview

Kim Mulkey is the current head coach of the LSU women's basketball team, a position she has held since April 2021. Her appointment marked a major shift for the program, bringing in a proven national championship leader with deep Louisiana roots.

Mulkey replaced Nikki Fargas, who led the Tigers from 2011 to 2021 and compiled a 179–138 record. Since Mulkey’s arrival, LSU has seen a dramatic rise in performance, culminating in a historic 2023 NCAA National Championship victory.

Kim Mulkey was officially named head coach on April 21, 2021, leaving Baylor after 21 seasons to return to her home state of Louisiana.
She became the first woman to win a Division I basketball national title as both a player and head coach, achieving the feat at Louisiana Tech in 1981 and LSU in 2023.
Under Mulkey’s leadership, LSU won its first-ever NCAA women’s basketball title by defeating Iowa 102–85 in the 2023 championship game, led by star player Angel Reese.
Mulkey reached 100 career wins at LSU in just 117 games, the fastest in women’s Division I history across both men’s and women’s programs.
She previously won three national titles as head coach of Baylor, in 2005, 2012, and 2019, amassing a 561–147 record over 21 seasons.

How It Works

Understanding the role and impact of a head coach like Kim Mulkey involves examining her responsibilities, leadership style, and program-building strategies.

Recruiting Strategy: Mulkey emphasizes elite in-state and national recruiting, securing top-5 classes annually, including five-star prospects like Flau'jae Johnson and Maya Caldwell.
Game Planning: She implements a fast-paced, high-scoring offensive system while maintaining disciplined defense, averaging over 80 points per game in the 2022–2023 season.
Player Development: Mulkey has elevated players like Angel Reese and Jasmine Carson into All-Americans, with Reese winning the 2023 Naismith Trophy.
Program Culture: She instills a championship mindset, demanding accountability and resilience, which transformed LSU’s win total from 19 in 2020–21 to 35 in 2022–23.
Staff Management: Mulkey hires experienced assistants, including former WNBA players, to build a cohesive coaching unit focused on skill development and analytics.
Media and Public Relations: She actively promotes the team through interviews and social media, increasing national visibility and ticket sales by over 40% since 2021.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how Kim Mulkey’s tenure compares to recent LSU women’s basketball coaches:

Coach	Tenure	Overall Record (LSU)	NCAA Appearances	Championships
Kim Mulkey	2021–present	77–17 (through 2024)	3	1 National (2023)
Nikki Fargas	2011–2021	179–138	5	0
Pokey Chatman	2004–2007	82–25	3	0
Susan Walvius	1997–2004	113–89	2	0
Angela Louis	1990–1997	85–101	1	0

This table highlights Mulkey’s immediate and transformative impact. In just three seasons, she achieved what others took a decade to approach—winning a national title and elevating LSU into a national powerhouse. Her win percentage of .819 at LSU far exceeds her predecessors, and her ability to attract top recruits has reshaped the program’s trajectory.

Why It Matters

Kim Mulkey’s leadership at LSU represents a paradigm shift in women’s college basketball, blending elite coaching with cultural transformation and national visibility.

Her success has increased attendance at LSU games, with the Pete Maravich Center averaging over 8,500 fans per game in 2023, up from 3,200 in 2021.
Mulkey’s visibility has boosted TV ratings, with the 2023 championship game drawing 9.9 million viewers, the most in women’s basketball history.
She has elevated player NIL earnings, with LSU athletes like Angel Reese securing major endorsement deals worth six figures.
Mulkey’s presence has strengthened conference competitiveness in the SEC, pushing rivals like South Carolina and Tennessee to raise their programs.
Her success inspires more young women to pursue coaching, especially in leadership roles historically dominated by men.
LSU’s national title has led to increased athletic department funding, with a $20 million investment in women’s facilities announced in 2023.

Kim Mulkey’s impact extends beyond wins and losses—she has redefined what’s possible for LSU women’s basketball and set a new standard for excellence in the sport.