Why LSU women's basketball coach Kim Mulkey says Bob Starkey will 'extend her career'
Bob Starkey took over LSU women's basketball's practice Wednesday leading up to its home opener against Queens on Thursday night.
He stepped in for Kim Mulkey, who said after the No. 1 Tigers' dominating 112-55 win over the Royals inside the Pete Maravich Assembly Center that she was seething. LSU didn't play no near its capability in its season-opening loss in Las Vegas Monday to Colorado, playing with no toughness or fight and Mulkey had to take a breath while working her team through where it was deficient in the first game.
"It was so intense and hard," Mulkey said. "I had to ask Bob to take over, 'I need to take a deep breath here.'"
The caveat in that anecdote in Mulkey's trust level in Starkey and their connection as coaches. There's not many Mulkey would hand over the guidance of practice to, but as she's stated numerous times about how vital Starkey returning to Baton Rouge to join her staff. Most important, his ability to further drive her points home to her team.
"That man is going to extend my career. He says the things the way I say it, he's intense like I am and in moments like yesterday, he needed to step up and help me," Mulkey said. "He just takes right over for me."
Starkey, 64, was Sue Gunter and Pokey Chatman's associate head coach following on Dale Brown's LSU men's basketball coaching staff for six seasons. The longtime assistant has head coaching experience on an interim basis, taking over for Chatman during the 2006-07 season after she resigned in March. He guided the Tigers to the Final Four that season at the helm.
He's been a part of all five Final Four appearances for LSU women's basketball, the most recent coming last season — which ultimately led to the first NCAA basketball championship for either the women's or men's team at LSU.
LSU RESPONDS, DISPATCHES QUEENS No. 1 LSU women's basketball dispatches of Queens as it honors NCAA championship squad
LSU LACKED TOUGHNESS V. COLORADO Kim Mulkey: LSU women's basketball 'didn't have dog in them' in upsetting loss to Colorado
Mulkey has said before that Starkey has been one of the most important hires she's made in her 23 years of being a head coach. Starkey handles most of the defensive scouts for Mulkey and has been an experienced voice as she's entered her final stop of her career.
They've captured a national title coaching together in just two seasons. Whether more NCAA championships come for Mulkey, who has four total between LSU and Baylor, or not, she's convinced that Starkey has cemented his legacy not only at the school but the sport.
"That man deserves to be in the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame. There's only two associate head coaches in there and if Bob Starkey doesn't get in there, it would be a cruel mistake on the part of the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame," Mulkey said.
Cory Diaz covers the LSU Tigers and Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns for The Daily Advertiser as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his Tigers and Cajuns coverage on Twitter: @ByCoryDiaz. Got questions regarding LSU/UL athletics? Send them to Cory Diaz at bdiaz@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Kim Mulkey: Bob Starkey deserves to be in Hall of Fame
