‘She’s Very Rude’: Kim Mulkey’s Attitude Called Out By Stephen A. Smith
LSU Tigers women’s basketball head coach Kim Mulkey got blasted by analyst Stephen A. Smith, in particular, over how she dealt with one reporter’s question recently.
In a recent edition of “Sharpe or Not Sharpe?” Stephen A. Smith spoke about the recent issue about coach Kim Mulkey, who he called “rude” and “condescending.”
“I’m not gonna take away from the fact that Kim Mulkey is a great coach and an established coach,” Smith said. “We just need to finally say this about her: She’s very rude. She’s very rude. She’s very, very rude. I mean, she’s rude, she’s condescending, and unnecessarily so to too many people.”
“But it’s always with the right one. See, she don’t go up to the wrong ones like that. It’s almost like she knows who to do what to and who not to do that to. Because certain people you do that to, they gonna clap back at you.”
Shannon Sharpe, in a recent episode of his program “Nightcap,” attributed Mulkey’s demeanor to “emotions being high,” but still said that he “expected more” from a coach.
“When emotion is high, logic is generally low—and we say things,” Sharpe said. “She probably doesn’t feel bad because, like I said, she’s a four-time national championship-winning head coach. And she’s gotten away with saying things.”
Kim Mulkey, in the past, has also been criticized for her interactions with players and officials during games, where her fiery demeanor has sometimes crossed into perceived hostility.
Kim Mulkey Gets Backlash Over Reporter Incident
In light of the incident she had with one reporter following their loss to UCLA, LSU head coach Kim Mulkey faced backlash for her response, and for the fact that she talked the way she did from a sports reporter from the same school she represents.
Fans have noted that the reporter, who got introduced as Jayden Smith, was from LSU himself as well.
“A student reporter nonetheless,” one fan noted. “Not that they are immune from criticism but no consideration of that from Kim.”
One user said: “It’s no coincidence her players also have zero respect for anyone or themselves. Sad!”
Another said: “Lol it cracks me up when coaches get offended by a basic question. Actually, Mulkey didn’t even let the guy finish asking his question before cutting him off and getting all defensive.”
Kim Mulkey and the LSU Tigers indeed their NCAA Tournament run in the Elite Eight stage, as they lost 72-65 to the UCLA Bruins.
