Kim Mulkey lashes out at a young journalist after UCLA loss, sparking controversy

Kim Mulkey and her team took a hard hit with LSU loss to UCLA in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament.

However, beyond the result on the court, the coach became the center of attention for two reasons that had little to do with game strategy.

A controversial play that went unnoticed

In a crucial moment of the game, Kim Mulkey stepped onto the court as a loose ball rolled near the LSU bench.

Rather than staying on the sidelines, her actions seemed to interfere with the play. The surprising part wasn’t just Mulkey’s presence on the court, it was the fact that the referees chose not to call a technical foul.

Many questioned the decision, especially considering that other coaches have been penalized for far less.

While a technical foul on Kim Mulkey wouldn’t have changed the outcome, the incident left a lingering sense of inconsistency in officiating.

With UCLA controlling the second half, LSU never managed to regain the lead, leaving Mulkey without answers both on and off the court.

This horrific call, giving the ball to UCLA, ended all of the momentum LSU had. Brutal. pic.twitter.com/NBsjDKOaqb

— Joshua Sánchez (@jnsanchez) March 30, 2025

Kim Mulkey heated exchange with the press goes viral

If her frustration was already evident on the court, the post-game press conference only fueled the controversy.

During a tense moment, Jayden Smith, a young journalist from KLSU Sports, dared to question LSU failure to reach the Final Four for the second consecutive year.

His direct question didn’t sit well with Kim Mulkey, who fired back with a sharp response: “How many Final Fours have you played in?”

The exchange quickly went viral, sparking mixed reactions. While some defended Mulkey bold attitude, others felt that a coach with her experience should handle criticism better, especially when it comes from a student journalist.

With LSU out of the tournament, Kim Mulkey now has time to reflect. Her fierce personality is part of her success, but it also keeps her at the center of controversy.