The highly anticipated article on LSU women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey was recently published by The Washington Post. Rather than the negative piece Mulkey had expected, the profile by Kent Babb focused on the events and individuals that have shaped Mulkey into the successful coach with four national championships. For instance, one of Mulkey’s influences was legendary coach Pat Summitt, who showed her it was possible to be successful in basketball while also raising a family. Mulkey adopted similar practices, incorporating her children into her coaching life at a young age.
Despite the article being published shortly before a game against UCLA, Mulkey expressed that she was not surprised by the timing. She stated that she wouldn’t read the feature, leaving it up to her attorneys to decide whether or not to take any action. Mulkey had previously threatened to sue The Washington Post if they ran a false story about her, anticipating that the piece would include input from disgruntled former players who may have negative things to say about her. However, reactions to the article on social media have been largely positive, with many viewing it as fair and not an attack on Mulkey.
One former player, Emily Niemann, who played for Mulkey at Baylor, shared her experience of feeling uncomfortable as a gay woman on campus and finding the coach too demanding. Niemann left Baylor after her sophomore season but returned for a celebration of the 2005 national championship team, where she thanked Mulkey for being a positive influence despite their past issues. However, Niemann recalls Mulkey being unresponsive when approached, not acknowledging her comments before walking away.
Mulkey’s strong reaction to the article drew attention to it, leading more people to read it than they might have otherwise. This has sparked conversation and discussion online about the content of the feature, with many finding it to be a fair portrayal of Mulkey and her coaching career. While there may be some information in the article that is not viewed favorably, the overall consensus seems to be that it is an objective look at Mulkey’s life and career. Ultimately, the article has shed light on different aspects of Mulkey’s coaching style and personal experiences, prompting a range of reactions from the public.
