When Michelle Obama famously said, “When they go low, we go high,” it certainly wasn’t a sentiment that Kim Mulkey seems to adhere to. Class and decorum are not her strong suits. On Sunday, the No. 1 South Carolina team remained undefeated and clinched its eighth SEC tournament title by defeating LSU, 79-72. This victory came as a rematch of their January face-off in Baton Rouge, where South Carolina managed to secure a hard-fought road win, 76-70.
Both South Carolina and LSU are considered the top teams in the SEC and are the most recent national champions. There exists a palpable animosity between the two teams and their coaches represent polar opposites. So when a skirmish erupted during Sunday’s game, it was expected that the reactions from the respective coaches would differ significantly.
Following the incident, Dawn Staley, in an interview with ESPN, expressed regret on behalf of her team, stating, “I want to apologize for us playing a part in that, that’s not who we are. That’s not what we’re about.” In contrast, Kim Mulkey’s response, after the game, was markedly different and lacked the same level of accountability and remorse.
Staley, taking full responsibility for her team’s actions, handled the situation with grace and professionalism, emphasizing the need for improvement in handling such scenarios. She also extended apologies to the affected parties and stressed the importance of sportsmanship. On the other hand, Mulkey’s comments seemed to exacerbate the situation, displaying a lack of understanding and empathy.
Mulkey’s behavior, characterized by insensitivity and ignorance, stood in stark contrast to Staley’s composed and dignified approach. This disparity in responses highlights the stark contrast in leadership styles between the two coaches. As the NCAA Tournament approaches, the contrasting approaches of Staley and Mulkey promise to make for an intriguing and eventful competition. Happy Women’s History Month!
