ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith has weighed in on the controversy surrounding LSU women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey after her tense exchange with a reporter, calling out the Hall of Fame coach for her handling of the situation. Known for his outspoken takes, Smith did not hold back in addressing what he viewed as an unnecessarily combative response from Mulkey during a press conference.
The incident in question occurred when a reporter pressed Mulkey on a sensitive topic, prompting a visibly irritated reaction from the LSU coach. Rather than deflect or calmly address the question, Mulkey fired back sharply, creating a moment that quickly went viral. The exchange drew mixed reactions, with some defending Mulkey’s right to protect her team from distractions, while others, including Smith, criticized her for being overly defensive.
During an episode of First Take, Smith emphasized that as one of the most high-profile figures in women’s college basketball, Mulkey has a responsibility to handle tough questions professionally. While acknowledging her competitive fire and success as a coach, he argued that dismissing legitimate media inquiries only fuels further scrutiny.
As LSU continues its postseason journey, Mulkey’s leadership remains under the spotlight, with her handling of the media becoming another talking point in an already dramatic season.
