March Madness will be a thrilling experience for fans as multiple challenging teams will be in action to win the national championship. As much as it will be a challenging task for the players, it will be a partly emotional experience for stars and also their coaches, after spending four seasons together. Kim Mulkey and Flau’Jae Johnson showed these emotions recently.
For the LSU Tigers,Johnson and Mikaylah Williams join the Naismith Player of the Year late-season watchlist with their season-long performances. Knowing that the senior guard will be playing her final games at home, coach Kim Mulkey got emotional.
Kim Mulkey’s Change in Behavior Surprises Flau’Jae Johnson
Calling speed, a speed had been a hallmark of Kim Mulkey’s behavior throughout her coaching career. She never shies away from high praise or strong criticism over her players, opponents or even a single play. She even criticized her team for a poor outing on the floor, showing her fair analysis of games.
Knowing her behavior, Flau’Jae Johnson was a bit surprised by the emotional virtual sendoff from the coach as she received some scolding an hour before in the training. “She had just went off on me in practice. So yeah, it was surprising,” Johnson said. “But Coach can be just funny, bro. But I really do love her. And I think it’s kind of starting to hit everybody like wow.”
Q: “Was that surprising to see her get a little emotional?”
— Harrison Valentine (@HValentineLSU) March 19, 2026
Flau’jae: “Yeah because she had just went off on me in practice.” 🤣
“This is not AI?” https://t.co/9OzTS4nABw pic.twitter.com/v9UnSrLsSd
“She’s like me, like we’re focused on the next game ahead. We’re not thinking of the future. But when you kind of think about it, it’s like wow, four years ago when I came here, I was a baby. I trusted her, and she trusted me, and we have a beautiful relationship,” the star guard continued.
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The guard had been the top player and game winner for the LSU Tigers this season and the only member from the championship-winning team in 2023.
Kim Mulkey Gets Emotional For Flau’Jae Johnson
After LSU’s practice on Tuesday, Mulkey did a radio interview with ESPN 104.5 in Baton Rouge. The coach spoke about multiple topics, including her senior players. She felt emotional for the star guard who kept going with the LSU Tigers and could be another top pick in the WNBA.
“If we’re fortunate enough to beat Jacksonville (in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament Friday), get out here on Sunday and watch Flau’jae (Johnson),” Mulkey pleaded with the station’s listeners and LSU fans. “That will be her last game ever ― I get emotional because that kid has meant so much to our program.
Teams with high seeds will host early games at home, which will allow the LSU Tigers to play, most likely, two more games inside the Pete Maravich Assembly, which would be Johnson’s sendoff tour.