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Kim Mulkey shares thoughts on LSU's new AD Verge Ausberry

On3 imageby: Matthew Brune21 hours agoMatthewBrune_
NCAA Womens Basketball: NCAA Tournament Second Round-Middle Tennessee vs Lousiana State
Mar 24, 2024; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Lady Tigers head coach Kim Mulkey looks on against the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders during the first half at Pete Maravich Assembly Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

LSU and Scott Woodward parted ways on Oct. 30, ushering a new era of the schools athletic department. Kim Mulkey was on the bench coaching an exhibition game when she found out and after the game declined to do media availability as she tried to make sense of the decision.

On Tuesday night, Mulkey’s team officially opened the season against Houston Christian and in the front row next to the bench sat Verge Ausberry, LSU’s new athletic director. Reports had broken the news about an hour before tipoff, grabbing headlines as LSU started the season 1-0 on the hardwood. After the game, Mulkey talked about Woodward, the state, and Ausberry.

“Scott hired me, and anytime a coach is hired by somebody, you have special feelings,” Mulkey said. “My feelings are deeper because I’m from this state. I want all of us to do good. I want us all to look good, to smell good, to represent this state well. I heard Verge is now the AD and I’m happy about that. I think Verge is like a lot of us: he grew up in this state, this is his school.”

Mulkey wears her heart on her sleeve and when it comes to Louisiana, her passion pours through no matter what. Her team is loaded yet again and poised to be a title contender and as she begins that trek, LSU athletics is in the midst of a transition with a new president, new athletic director, and a committee in the process of looking for a new football coach.

Mulkey’s team is now 1-0 to start the year after the win and looks to pair several newcomers with a strong core, highlighted by Flau’Jae Johnson and Mikaylah Williams.

“My take is always going to be this: I never take wins for granted,” Mulkey said. “Watching us play tonight, I saw seniors on my team that realized this is the beginning of the end for their career in college, and you want them to understand you can’t go back and get this game. For the young ones, I want them to remember this game because you will never be a freshman again playing in your very first game. ​​So, there was a lot of emotion there when I thought about the kids I get to coach on this team.”

Stay tuned to the Bengal Tiger for the latest news and women’s basketball analysis throughout the season