You know the vibe. The buzzer sounds, the lights are blinding, and Kim Mulkey walks to the podium wearing something that looks like it was stitched together from a disco ball and a peacock’s tail. But it isn't just the sequins that grab attention. It is the verbal fireworks. Lately, if you’ve been following LSU women’s basketball, you’ve probably seen clips of a certain Kim Mulkey postgame exchange reporter interaction that went viral for all the wrong reasons—or the right ones, depending on whose side you’re on.
Most people see these clips on TikTok and think it’s just a coach having a bad day. It’s actually way more calculated than that. Mulkey has spent decades building a persona that is part elite tactician and part defensive wall. When a reporter asks a question she doesn't like, she doesn't just "no comment" them. She goes for the jugular. Honestly, it’s became a sport within the sport.
The Elite Eight Exchange That Went Everywhere
The most recent flare-up that had everyone talking happened after LSU’s 72-65 loss to UCLA in the Elite Eight in March 2025. Jayden Smith, a reporter from KLSU Sports, started to ask a question about the team’s performance. He noted, quite factually, that this was the second year in a row LSU had been knocked out in the Elite Eight.
Before he could even get the "question" part out, Mulkey jumped in.
"That’s terrible, isn’t it?" she interjected. Smith, probably caught off guard, gave a little nervous chuckle. Mulkey didn't let up. She leaned in and asked, "Is that terrible, or is that good?" When Smith replied with "Terrible," she hit him with the line that launched a thousand think pieces: "How many Final Fours did you play in?" When he admitted he hadn't played in any, she basically ended the conversation by suggesting that if he hadn't been there, he wasn't qualified to judge if an Elite Eight finish was "terrible." It was classic Mulkey—using her resume as a shield to deflect from a legitimate question about a powerhouse program's expectations.
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Why the Kim Mulkey Postgame Exchange Reporter Drama Keeps Happening
If you think the UCLA incident was a one-off, you haven't been paying attention. Mulkey has a long, documented history of treating the press room like a courtroom.
Just look at January 2026. LSU had just beaten No. 4 Texas 70-65. You’d think she’d be happy, right? Nope. She came into the room with receipts. Specifically, she had her sights set on Reed Darcey from The Advocate. Darcey had posted on X (formerly Twitter) that LSU was 0-8 against top-12 SEC teams under Mulkey.
"Reed, I’mma tell you something," she started. "I beat Texas, so you can't write that in your articles anymore."
She went on to lecture him about her career record against Texas and her history of overcoming early conference losses to reach Final Fours. It wasn't just an answer; it was a public call-out. She wants the media to know she is reading every word. She is watching the mentions. And if you write something she perceives as a "hit job," she is going to make the next Kim Mulkey postgame exchange reporter session very uncomfortable for you.
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A Pattern of Defensive Posturing
It’s not just about stats, though. Mulkey’s relationship with the media is deeply rooted in how she perceives "loyalty" to the game.
- The "Sleazy Reporter" Incident: Back in March 2024, she famously spent several minutes of a press conference trashing Kent Babb of the Washington Post before he even published his profile on her. She called him "sleazy" and threatened a defamation lawsuit, claiming he was trying to "trick" former coaches and players into saying bad things about her.
- The Angel Reese "Entitlement" Comment: In late 2023, when star player Angel Reese was away from the team, reporters asked for clarity. Mulkey’s response? "You’re not entitled to that information."
- The Mozzarella Stick Call-out: In March 2025, she even went after reporters for eating during a press conference. She pointed at Lulu Kesin from the Greenville News and asked, "Are those media over there, or are they just eatin'?"
Is This Good or Bad for Women's Basketball?
There are two ways to look at this. One side says Mulkey is a bully. They argue that by attacking student reporters or beat writers, she is creating a hostile environment that discourages objective journalism. When she asks a reporter how many Final Fours they’ve played in, she’s essentially saying that if you aren't an elite athlete, your analysis is invalid. That’s a slippery slope.
The other side? They love it. They see a woman in a high-power position who refuses to be pushed around by a media cycle that often prioritizes clicks over context. They argue that Mulkey is just being "old school." She’s tough, she’s direct, and she’s protective of her "kids" (as she calls her players).
Basically, Mulkey has realized that in the current media landscape, being the "villain" is actually a great marketing strategy. It keeps LSU in the headlines even when they aren't winning championships. Every time a Kim Mulkey postgame exchange reporter clip goes viral, more eyes are on the program.
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What This Means for Future Coverage
Reporters covering LSU have started to adapt. You’ll notice the questions getting more specific, more carefully phrased. There’s a palpable tension in the room. Some journalists have even noted that they have to "brace themselves" before asking anything that could be construed as negative.
But honestly? This is part of the Mulkey Experience. She’s won four national championships. She’s a Hall of Famer. She knows that as long as she wins, she can set the rules of engagement. The moment the winning stops, though, these exchanges will likely go from "feisty" to "tiresome" in the eyes of the public.
Actionable Takeaways for Sports Fans
If you're following this saga, there are a few things you can do to get the full picture without getting lost in the social media noise:
- Watch the full video: Clips are often edited to make Mulkey look as aggressive as possible. Sometimes the full context shows a more "tongue-in-cheek" tone that gets lost in a 10-second snippet.
- Follow the beat writers: If you want the real story, follow people like Reed Darcey or Cory Diaz. They are the ones in the room every day, and they provide the nuance that national "talking heads" usually skip.
- Separate the coach from the character: It’s possible to respect Mulkey’s coaching genius while still thinking her media interactions are unprofessional. You don't have to pick a "side" to appreciate the drama.
Next time you see a headline about a heated Kim Mulkey postgame exchange reporter moment, remember: it's rarely just about the question. It’s about a coach who views the press room as a secondary court—and she has no intention of losing on either one.