Kim Mulkey is the only person in history, to win a National Championship as a player, assistant coach, and head coach. In the 1980s, Mulkey was working on her MBA at Louisiana Tech, when the University President, F. Jay Taylor, wanted to hire her as the assistant women’s basketball coach, after Sonja Hogg retired.
“I said no, I’m done, I’m going to get on these corporate jets, and fly around the country, and become this big CEO, of some big, major fortune 500 company,” Kim Mulkey said. “Little did I know, he knew more about what I needed to be doing than I did, and I told him I would give it a shot, but only with the understanding, that Leon Barmore wanted me on his staff, and he came and talked to me, and the rest is history.”
In 2000, the Lady Techsters head coach, Leon Barmore, stepped down, for Kim Mulkey to take over the program. However, Louisiana Tech’s new President only offered a three to four year deal, which lead Mulkey to accepting the Lady Bears head coaching position at Baylor University.
“You know, obstacles happen in life,” Kim Mulkey said. “The timing of me coming to Baylor 19 years ago, was very emotional, I never thought I’d leave the state of Louisiana.”
The Women’s Basketball Hall of Famer talks about her transition from Louisiana Tech to Baylor, saying “Thank God for unanswered prayers.”
“What I mean when I say Thank God for Unanswered prayers, because I was really praying at that time, that things would work out at Louisiana Tech,” Kim Mulkey said. “And they didn’t, and it’s just been a blessing to be here.”
The Louisiana native said that all three national championship teams, had their own identity.
“I would describe this group as a happy group, they always brought happiness to the floor, they pulled for each other, great team chemistry,” Kim Mulkey said. “They’re just great, great, great talented kids, but sometimes you don’t win championships being the most talented, it takes a lot.”
Click the video above, to find out how Kim Mulkey brings out the full potential in her players, and how Kannon and Makenzie have made the 2018-2019 season, an unforgettable year.
