Stephen A. Smith Blasts LSU Head Coach Kim Mulkey: “She’s Very Rude, Very Condescending – And It’s Time We Said It”

In the world of sports commentary, few voices resonate as loudly and controversially as that of ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith.

Known for his unapologetically bold takes and no-holds-barred approach to analysis, Smith has carved a career out of challenging the status quo. And this week, during a heated segment on ESPN’s First Take, he turned his fiery criticism toward one of the most prominent figures in women’s college basketball — LSU head coach Kim Mulkey.

While Smith acknowledged Mulkey’s undeniable success as a head coach — her national titles, her ability to recruit elite talent, and her transformative influence on programs like Baylor and now LSU — he made it abundantly clear that, in his view, her sideline accomplishments don’t absolve her of criticism regarding how she interacts with the media, players, and the public.

“I’m not gonna take away from the fact that Kim Mulkey is a great coach and an established coach,” Smith said firmly. “But we just need to finally say this about her: she’s very rude. She’s very, very rude. She’s rude. She’s condescending and unnecessarily so to too many people.”

The remarks set off a media firestorm, reigniting debates about Mulkey’s demeanor, her contentious press conferences, and the double standards that female coaches — especially successful and outspoken ones — often face. But Smith’s comments weren’t vague insinuations. They were sharp, direct, and pointed. And they’ve prompted both backlash and support in equal measure.

A Coaching Legacy Overshadowed by Controversy?

Kim Mulkey’s résumé is as impressive as they come. A three-time national champion at Baylor and now leading an elite LSU squad, she’s transformed every program she’s touched into a powerhouse.

Her coaching style — a mix of old-school toughness, emotional intensity, and strategic brilliance — has drawn comparisons to legends like Pat Summitt and Geno Auriemma.

Yet, for all her accomplishments, Mulkey has remained one of the most polarizing figures in college basketball.

From her choice of flashy outfits to her verbal spars with reporters, fans, and even her own players at times, she’s built a reputation not just as a fierce competitor, but as a figure who doesn’t always play nice with others.

Stephen A. Smith’s remarks, while not new in sentiment, have pushed that narrative back into the spotlight.

Stephen A. Smith: A History of Fearless Commentary

To understand the impact of Smith’s comments, it’s important to grasp his standing in the sports world.

As one of ESPN’s most influential personalities, Smith’s opinions don’t just stir conversation — they shape it.

He’s gone toe-to-toe with LeBron James defenders, criticized NFL owners, and recently made headlines for his takes on Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese.

But with Kim Mulkey, there’s a personal edge to his critique that goes beyond wins and losses. It’s about respect, decorum, and how a public figure chooses to engage with others.

“There’s no need to be that way,” Smith added during the segment. “You can be firm. You can be strong. You can demand excellence. But when you’re consistently talking down to people or shutting down basic questions with eye-rolls and arrogance, it’s a problem. And it’s not just once — it’s a pattern.”

Mulkey’s Media Style: Blunt or Belligerent?

Critics of Smith’s take argue that Mulkey is simply being herself — blunt, no-nonsense, and fiercely protective of her team.

They point to instances where male coaches have displayed similar behavior without facing the same scrutiny.

But Mulkey’s critics, and now Smith among them, insist this isn’t about a double standard. It’s about a pattern of condescension and unnecessary hostility that has rubbed too many people the wrong way.

Examples abound. During last year’s NCAA Tournament, Mulkey made headlines not just for her sideline antics but for her curt dismissal of journalists’ questions.

In press conferences, she often interrupts or deflects. She rarely offers transparency when asked about team issues.

And in one now-viral moment, she walked out of a press conference after being asked about a player’s injury status, calling the question “stupid.”

“We’re not asking for her to be fake,” one former college basketball reporter told The Athletic anonymously. “We’re just asking for her to show a baseline level of professional courtesy. And she consistently refuses to do that.”

A Double Standard for Female Coaches?

Still, others argue that Smith’s critique of Mulkey feeds into a broader culture that expects female coaches to be nurturing and agreeable in ways their male counterparts are not.

“People love Bobby Knight, right?” tweeted one fan after the segment aired.

“But Kim Mulkey gets blasted for doing half of what he did. That’s the real issue here.”

Indeed, the history of women in coaching has always involved a tightrope walk.

Be too assertive, and you’re labeled aggressive.

Be too emotional, and you’re seen as unstable. Mulkey, for her part, has never tried to please everyone — and that, some say, is part of her appeal.

“Kim Mulkey is unapologetically herself,” said former LSU player Seimone Augustus in a recent interview.

“She doesn’t sugarcoat things. She’ll fight for her players, even if it means ruffling feathers. That’s what makes her special.”

The Tension Between Toughness and Respect

Still, Smith’s commentary has sparked an important conversation: where’s the line between being tough and being disrespectful?

Coaches are often revered for their ability to demand excellence.

But when that intensity spills over into interactions with reporters, fans, and even administrative staff, it raises questions about leadership and role modeling — especially in the collegiate sphere, where coaches are also educators.

Smith argued that Mulkey’s rudeness isn’t isolated — it’s become part of her brand.

“And don’t get it twisted,” he added. “This isn’t about one or two moments. This is about a consistent pattern. You cover this sport long enough, you hear the stories. You see the clips. You talk to the people. She treats folks like they’re beneath her. And we’re supposed to ignore it just because she wins? I don’t think so.”

Reaction Across the Sports World

Predictably, the sports world responded in waves.

Many fans and fellow commentators agreed with Smith, sharing anecdotes and clips that supported his claims.

On social media, phrases like “Mulkey meltdown” and “Stephen A. said what needed to be said” trended for hours.

Others pushed back, accusing Smith of targeting a successful woman in a way he might not with male coaches.

The debate spilled onto Twitter, Reddit, and even postgame pressers.

Even Mulkey herself seemed to respond, albeit indirectly. In a postgame interview following LSU’s latest victory, she smirked when asked about media criticism and said, “I don’t worry about what folks who’ve never coached a game think about how I do my job.”

Will This Impact Mulkey’s Legacy?

Regardless of public perception, Kim Mulkey’s place in college basketball history is secure. Her teams win. Her players develop into stars. Her programs thrive. But reputational legacy is about more than titles.

If the criticism from high-profile voices like Smith continues — and especially if players, alumni, or journalists begin to echo his sentiments more publicly — it could shift the broader narrative around Mulkey from “controversial genius” to “brilliant but toxic.”

For now, she seems unfazed.

The Bigger Picture: What Do We Expect from Leaders in Sports?

Stephen A. Smith’s comments didn’t just take aim at Kim Mulkey.

They challenged a deeper question about the culture of sports: How do we define respect? And when someone wins as much as Mulkey, do they get a free pass for everything else?

“I don’t care how many rings you have,” Smith concluded.

“If you’re consistently condescending, dismissive, and rude to the people around you — reporters, players, assistants, fans — then it needs to be said.

Period. Kim Mulkey is a brilliant coach. But she’s also rude. And it’s time we stopped pretending otherwise.”

As LSU heads deeper into the NCAA Tournament, the spotlight on Mulkey will only intensify — not just for her coaching strategy, but for her public persona.

And thanks to Stephen A. Smith’s high-profile critique, the conversation has changed.

It’s no longer just about winning or losing. It’s about how you win, how you lead, and how you treat those watching from the sidelines.

For Kim Mulkey, the court may still be her sanctuary. But the court of public opinion is another arena altogether. And in that space, the final score is still being written.