When LSU HC Kim Mulkey credited Geno Auriemma and herself for adapting: “Doesn’t mean we like it, doesn’t mean we agree with it”

LSU coach Kim Mulkey complemented her UConn counterpart, Geno Auriemma, and herself for adapting to the new system of rules in college basketball and how they survive and thrive to remain top schools in the nation.

The four-time national champion coach from Baylor and LSU, and Auriemma, an 11-time national winner with UConn, were guests at the Aspen Ideas Festival in June 2024.

The coaches touched upon various issues in the college basketball scene, including the transfer portal and NIL. Mulkey hailed herself and Auriemma, who broke Tara Vanderveer's record for the most wins in the NCAA, for keeping up with the new trends to build a strong team.

"I had to say a compliment to Geno and really to myself. We've been able to adapt and survive this new generation of rules and everything that we have to handle now. (It) doesn't mean we like it doesn't we agree with it," Mulkey said (15:11).

The veteran coach also talked about the NIL and noted that she had to push the envelope and follow the trend or lose many talents due to the system. To concentrate on coaching and recruiting new players, Mulkey said she hired a NIL expert in LSU, whose sole job is to focus on these deals that would entice more players to study and play with the Lady Tigers.

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Kim Mulkey insists NIL doesn't affect her way of coaching

Veteran LSU coach Kim Mulkey was asked if the NIL affected her way of coaching her players. She proudly emphasized that it doesn't affect her, meaning her system thrives at Baton Rouge despite the lucrative deals that her players receive.

"NIL does not affect how you coach a kid. Transfer portal does not affect how you coach a kid," Mulkey said (19:36).

However, Mulkey pointed out a team isn't guaranteed to have one player remain with them for a long period, owing to these new regulations.

"You can't plan for the next season, the next year (and) the next month. It forces you do in recruiting to decide what are you recruiting and are you recruiting to win this year, she said (20:47).

LSU guard Flau'Jae Johnson is the top NIL getter in women's basketball, valued at $1.5 million (per On3). So far, she's in her third year with the team and is one of the Lady Tigers' leaders, averaging 20.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.0 blocks per game.

Johnson is part of LSU's dreaded combo, alongside Aneesah Morrow and Mikaylah Williams, that was able to record a 15-0 start in the 2024-25 women's college basketball season.