ESPN REPORT: LSU Tigers Women’s Basketball Head Coach Kim Mulkey Stuns College Basketball World, Rejects Coach Demand Of $20.5 Million NBA Offer from Tennessee Vol, Notre Dame to Remain with the LSU Tigers: ‘I Have No Plans Beyond Being the LSU Women’s Basketball Head Coach’

In a stunning turn of events that sent shockwaves across the college basketball and professional coaching landscape, LSU Tigers women’s basketball head coach Kim Mulkey has officially rejected a monumental $20.5 million contract offer reportedly presented to her by an unnamed NBA franchise. The move, which was further complicated by apparent mutual interest from powerhouse college programs Tennessee and Notre Dame, makes a clear statement: Kim Mulkey is LSU, and LSU is Kim Mulkey.

Speaking exclusively to ESPN, Mulkey ended all speculation on her future with a resolute declaration: “I have no plans beyond being the LSU women’s basketball head coach. This is home. This is where I’m meant to be.”

The basketball world is still reeling.

The Offer That Shook the Sport

While the NBA franchise involved in the offer has not been officially named, sources told ESPN that it came from a Western Conference team seeking to completely rebuild both its brand and basketball culture, and that Mulkey had been the top candidate on its radar.

The offer reportedly included:

• A five-year, $20.5 million contract
• Full control of the basketball operation
• A multi-million dollar marketing package to elevate Mulkey as a face of the franchise
• Incentives tied to playoff performance, player development, and overall win percentage
• A legacy clause that would allow Mulkey to return to college basketball at any time without breach penalties

In addition to the NBA offer, multiple college basketball insiders confirmed that Tennessee and Notre Dame both reached out within the last month about potential interest in luring Mulkey away from Baton Rouge. Both schools have legendary women’s basketball traditions and the institutional clout to make a blockbuster coaching move.

But Mulkey wasn’t biting.

A Coaching Legend in Baton Rouge

Since taking the reins of the LSU program in 2021, Kim Mulkey has transformed the Tigers into one of the most feared, exciting, and polarizing programs in the sport. Under her leadership, LSU captured the 2023 NCAA National Championship, their first ever, and has routinely ranked among the top contenders in each subsequent season.

In just four years at LSU, Mulkey has compiled an impressive record of 112-18, reached three Elite Eights, two Final Fours, and has developed multiple WNBA stars, including Angel Reese, Flau’jae Johnson, and Mikaylah Williams.

More than the wins, Mulkey brought something back to LSU that had been missing since the days of Pokey Chatman and Seimone Augustus—swagger.

With her high-energy sideline persona, flashy game-day fits, and bold unapologetic presence, Mulkey didn’t just build a team—she built a brand. LSU is now a national draw, routinely pulling top NIL deals, social media engagement, and recruiting buzz rivaling some of the top men’s programs.

Why She Said No

The question that looms large is simple: Why would Kim Mulkey turn down $20.5 million and NBA immortality?

For Mulkey, the answer is just as simple.

“This is where my heart is,” she told ESPN. “LSU gave me a chance to come home. They gave me the keys, and I’ve loved every second of building something special here. I don’t need the NBA. I don’t need the headlines. What we’re doing here is enough. It’s more than enough.”

Mulkey grew up just 200 miles away from Baton Rouge in Tickfaw, Louisiana. A former Louisiana Tech star and a coaching icon at Baylor, she returned to her home state to lift LSU out of mediocrity—and in less than half a decade, she did just that.

“She’s got roots here. She’s a Louisiana legend,” said longtime friend and former WNBA executive Carol Ross. “You can’t put a price tag on the emotional tie she has to this place.”

Sources inside LSU’s athletic department confirmed that Mulkey did not use the NBA offer as leverage for a new deal—despite being eligible for a contract extension and raise under the terms of her current agreement.

“She didn’t bring it up once,” one source told ESPN. “She shut it down immediately and said she wasn’t interested. That’s who Kim is. If she wanted more, she could’ve asked. But that’s not why she’s here.”

LSU’s Power Play Continues

Mulkey’s decision to remain with LSU solidifies the Tigers’ position as a premier destination for the top women’s basketball talent in the country. It also sends a resounding message to her peers: she’s not done building a dynasty in Baton Rouge.

In the NIL era, continuity and stability in coaching have never been more valuable. With Mulkey at the helm, LSU has been able to stack recruiting classes that rival perennial powers like UConn, South Carolina, and Stanford.

The 2025 class features two top-five recruits and one transfer already earning early All-American buzz. Add in the anticipated return of Flau’jae Johnson and the emergence of sophomore sensation Aalyah Del Rosario, and it’s clear LSU has a championship-caliber roster on deck.

Mulkey’s leadership style may not be for everyone—her fierce loyalty, firebrand public persona, and blunt commentary have drawn both praise and criticism—but her players swear by her.

“She loves us like we’re her own,” said Johnson. “She holds us to a high standard, but she’s in the trenches with us. I’d run through a wall for Coach Mulkey.”

Reaction Across the Country

Within hours of the report, reactions flooded social media. South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley, a fierce rival and mutual admirer, posted: “College basketball just got a big W. Respect, Kim.”

Tennessee fans—who had hoped Mulkey might be lured to Rocky Top to revive the legendary Lady Vols program—were crestfallen. Notre Dame insiders privately admitted they knew it was a long shot.

Even NBA circles were buzzing. ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith weighed in during an appearance on First Take: “Kim Mulkey turned down history. A $20.5 million offer to coach in the NBA—and she said no. That’s legacy. That’s commitment. That’s real love for the game.”

What This Means for the Game

Mulkey’s decision may have ripple effects well beyond Baton Rouge. With top programs like UConn and Stanford facing transitional periods and legendary coaches like Geno Auriemma potentially nearing retirement, Mulkey’s steadfast commitment to LSU might shift the balance of power in the sport.

“This isn’t just about LSU,” said ESPN analyst LaChina Robinson. “This is about the women’s game. The NBA came calling, and one of the biggest names in coaching said no. That’s a seismic moment for college basketball.”

And it could be just the beginning.

NIL deals for women’s players are skyrocketing. Television ratings are setting records. The WNBA is expanding. For the first time ever, women’s basketball is a billion-dollar industry on the rise—and coaches like Mulkey are central to that explosion.

“She’s one of the few coaches who can walk into a living room and command both a parent’s respect and a teenager’s attention,” said Robinson. “She’s got the resume, the rings, and now the loyalty to back it all up.”

The Legacy She’s Building

For all the flash, noise, and headlines, Kim Mulkey’s ultimate goal remains unchanged: winning.

“I didn’t come here to coast into retirement,” she said. “I came here to win championships. I came here to make history. We’re not done.”

She already has four national titles to her name—three from her time at Baylor and one from LSU—and sits behind only Geno Auriemma and Pat Summitt in total championships among women’s college coaches.

With at least five years left in her tank, and LSU loaded with talent, there’s a growing belief that Mulkey could eventually match or even surpass those legendary figures.

“She’s already in the Mount Rushmore conversation,” said former ESPN commentator Doris Burke. “If she keeps winning like this and builds LSU into the next dynasty, she might end up being the face of women’s college basketball forever.”

Final Word: “I’m Not Going Anywhere”

As speculation dies down and the basketball world digests what just happened, one thing is crystal clear: Kim Mulkey isn’t going anywhere.

In an era where coaches jump ship for the next big paycheck or greener pastures, Mulkey’s decision to stay grounded at LSU bucks the trend.

“Everyone’s always looking for what’s next,” she said. “I’m not. I already found it. It’s right here in Baton Rouge.”

So while $20.5 million might be enough to sway almost anyone else, it wasn’t enough for Kim Mulkey.

Because for her, home is worth more.