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LSU Women's Basketball Faces Offseason Roster and Coaching Shakeup
Head coach Kim Mulkey addresses upcoming changes amid assistant departures
Apr. 4, 2026 at 10:52pm
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After a Sweet 16 exit in the NCAA Tournament, LSU women's basketball head coach Kim Mulkey discussed the program's offseason plans, including hiring new assistant coaches and adding players from the transfer portal. Mulkey reiterated her commitment to the Tigers, stating she has no plans to retire unless LSU fires her or her health fails.
Why it matters
LSU is looking to build on its successful season and make a deeper NCAA Tournament run next year. However, the program has faced some key staff departures, including the exits of assistant coaches Gary Redus II and Daphne Mitchell, who left to join the Rutgers coaching staff. Mulkey's ability to quickly fill these openings and add talent through the transfer portal will be crucial to the Tigers' continued growth.
The details
Mulkey said she plans to hire two new assistant coaches quickly and also add two or three more players from the transfer portal. She praised the incoming assistant Gabe Lazo, who was previously an assistant at Tennessee, calling him an 'outstanding addition' who will 'impact our program at the highest level.' However, Lazo's tenure at LSU was short-lived, as he was soon hired as the new head coach at UCF.
- On April 4, 2026, LSU suffered a Sweet 16 loss to Duke in the NCAA Tournament.
- After the loss, Mulkey stated she has no plans to retire unless fired or if her health fails.
The players
Kim Mulkey
The head coach of the LSU women's basketball team who has led the program since 2021.
Gary Redus II
A former LSU assistant coach who accepted the head coaching position at Rutgers.
Daphne Mitchell
A former LSU assistant coach who joined Gary Redus II at Rutgers.
Gabe Lazo
An assistant coach who was hired by LSU but then quickly left to become the head coach at UCF.
What they’re saying
“I'm not retiring. I plan to hire two coaches quickly. I plan to get in the portal and get two or three more players and take a little time off, go see my grandchildren, who actually flew in and got in late and didn't even see the game. But I'll get to visit with them tonight in the hotel.”
— Kim Mulkey, Head Coach, LSU Women's Basketball
“Gabe will be an outstanding addition to our staff. He has been an invaluable member of two SEC staffs with an unbelievable ability to teach the game and recruit the best players in the country.”
— Kim Mulkey, Head Coach, LSU Women's Basketball
“I'm so happy for Gabe.”
— Kim Mulkey, Head Coach, LSU Women's Basketball
What’s next
Mulkey plans to quickly hire two new assistant coaches to replace the departures of Redus and Mitchell. She also intends to add two or three more players from the transfer portal to bolster the Tigers' roster for the upcoming season.
The takeaway
Despite the offseason coaching and roster changes, Kim Mulkey remains committed to building LSU women's basketball into a national powerhouse. Her ability to quickly fill staff openings and add talent through the transfer portal will be crucial to the program's continued success.
