Kim Mulkey says she is not retiring after LSU's Sweet 16 loss

LSU coach Kim Mulkey denied retirement rumors after her team lost to Duke in the Sweet 16 and said she plans to stay at LSU while addressing staff turnover and adding players.

LSU coach Kim Mulkey denied that she is considering retirement after her team’s Sweet 16 loss to Duke. The game ended on a buzzer beater, 87-85. Mulkey, 63, said she is healthy after having stents placed in her heart and that doctors have cleared her to continue coaching. She also described plans to rebuild her staff and add players following recent departures. What happened: - Mulkey said, in response to retirement rumors, that she is not retiring and emphasized her age and health status, including that doctors have cleared her to coach. - LSU lost to No. 3 seed Duke on a buzzer beater, 87-85. - Assistant coach Gary Redus II left earlier this month to become Rutgers’ head coach and brought fellow LSU assistant Daphne Mitchell; Redus was noted for his recruiting impact. - Mulkey said she plans to hire two coaches quickly and to use the transfer portal to add two or three players, and that she will take some time to visit family. - Senior guard Flau'jae Johnson is set to graduate and enter the WNBA draft, while most of the roster, including MiLaysia Fulwiley, Mikaylah Williams, ZaKiyah Johnson and Jada Richard, will be eligible to return. Summary: Mulkey emphatically denied retirement reports and said she intends to remain LSU’s coach as she addresses staff turnover and roster needs. She outlined immediate steps including hiring assistants and pursuing players in the transfer portal, and also noted she will take brief time to visit family. The team’s future staffing and recruiting moves are the next developments to watch.