Kim Mulkey has finally spoken up about the person who convinced her to leave Baylor after 21 seasons. The LSU empire appears to be crumbling from the inside after they let go of Athletic Director Scott Woodward with immediate effect just a week ago, following the departure of coach Brian Kelly.

In the post-game interview, while addressing the media, Mulkey was asked what the firing of Woodward meant to her. “Scott hired me! So anytime when a coach is hired by somebody, you have special feelings. My feelings are far deeper because I’m from the state. And I want all of us to always do good. I want us to look good. I want us to smell good. I want everything good about the state. So, I’m happy. I heard Verge (Ausberry) is now the AD. I’m happy cause I think Verge is like a lot of us. He grew up in the state. This is his school. And time will help all of us,” the Tigers’ head coach replied.

Scott Woodward and Kim Mulkey share a deep and personal relationship, as the former AD was the one who hired the Tigers’ head coach back in 2021 and later signed her to a 10-year contract worth $32 million, establishing her as the highest-paid women’s basketball coach.

While Mulkey’s arrival was an absolute home run for LSU when it came to the people brought in by Woodward, it was his other hires that got him under immense scrutiny, with two coaches, Jimbo Fisher and Brian Kelly, taking $77 million and $54 million buyouts, consequently, resulting in the largest buyouts in the history of college football, which ultimately costs the taxpayers as per Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry.

But it still doesn’t sound like Mulkey can wrap her head around the fact that Woodward won’t be working with her anymore. Even in 2023, when the Tigers secured the championship title after beating Iowa, Mulkey praised her colleague. She said, “He is my kind of leader. We talk the same language. I don’t know if that’s a Louisiana thing. He’s from Baton Rouge. I’m from Hammond. But he just gets it. He gets it. He gets out of the way. He doesn’t have to be, and doesn’t want to be, the most important person in the athletic department. … He wouldn’t even go out there tonight and cut the net down.”

However, despite the turbulence behind the scenes, Mulkey’s Tigers made it clear on the court that they’re locked in. With Verge Ausberry now stepping into the AD role and Mulkey’s leadership steadying the ship, the LSU Tigers secured their first win of the season after ending the game with 108-55.

Kim Mulkey’s Tigers make a statement in season opener

The LSU Tigers are here to take it all. As the 2025-26 NCAA season kicks off, Mulkey’s team didn’t just win, they dominated, ending the game with nearly 2x the score of the Huskies. Freshman guard ZaKiyah Johnson led the way with her first career double-double, while the Tigers spread the scoring load with MiLaysia Fulwiley posting 21 points, Mikaylah Williams 14, Flau’jae Johnson 12, and Grace Knox 10.

LSU’s fast-paced offense and suffocating defense set the tone early in the matchup. By the first-quarter media timeout, the Tigers had already built an 18-7 lead, ultimately holding a 26-point advantage at halftime. They outscored Houston Christian in every quarter, finishing with 23 steals and forcing 33 turnovers.

With one under their belt, the Tigers will play SE Louisiana Lady Lions on November 6, and if this game was any indication, LSU is a serious threat this season.