It was not 2019 Eastern Conference semi-finals Game 7, but the atmosphere and situation were similar, with Duke’s Ashton Jackson’s three-pointer going in just like Kawhi Leonard’s basket against the 76ers. Leonard’s basket ended the Philadelphia side’s dream of capturing the titles despite having a strong team, and in 2026, Ashton ended Kim Mulkey’s dream of leading the side to a second championship.
Star player Flau’Jae Johnson had an emotional sendoff at the Baton Rouge a round ago, and now at Sacramento, the team wrapped up its season with an eye on next year’s preparations. Johnson will move to the WNBA with a solid season behind her, but for the coach, there were retirement rumors.
Kim Mulkey Rubbishes Retirement Rumors
During her five years at LSU, the 63-year-old coach led the side to the 2023 championship and then three consecutive Elite Eight appearances. Loss against the Duke team broke that run, and questions over the four-time champion coach’s future started to circulate within the circles. In the postgame interview, an interviewer asked her about her possible retirement plan.
“I’m not retiring… Don’t know where that came from. I’m only 63, and I’m healthy with a few stents in my heart; my doctors say I’m good to go. I have no clue where that stuff comes from,” Mulkey said in the interview. She even added that she will be adding two assistant coaches in the next season.
Coach Kim Mulkey on retirement rumors "I don't know where that came from. I have never ever told anybody that…. I plan to hire two assistant coaches quickly. I will be hitting the portal for 2-3 players" #LSU pic.twitter.com/Bo6yakZk6y
— GeauxTigerHoops (@GeauxTigerHoops) March 28, 2026
Mulkey holds the record for the second-most wins in the March Madness competition amongst the active coaches. Playing in the tough SEC and still staying competitive in the March Madness games demanded a lot from the injury-hit LSU team, yet they remained dark horses of the competition.
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After the exit, the focus now shifts to the new season, but Mulkey is already looking to lift her team’s spirit.
Kim Mulkey Focuses On Players in Hand After Heartbreak
During a regular-season loss, the coach slammed the team’s costly mistakes that resulted in the loss against Texas Tech. But the recent loss was simply a better performance for the opposition. The coach mentioned that she had experienced such heartbreak many times before and is now looking forward to cheering the fans and players ahead of the next season.
Mulkey said, “I’ve been in those situations before and I feel the same. It’s heartbreaking for your team. It’s heartbreaking for your players and fans, but I’ve been around a long time. I’ve seen endings like that. You go in locker room and you hug their necks and you tell them what a wonderful year we had and you put yourself in a position to win the game. You remind them that nothing I say is going to make them feel better in the moment and that the sun will come up tomorrow.”
The former Baylor coach added that she will be active on the transfer portal to strengthen her squad.