Kim Mulkey Announces Departure of Second Coach From LSU

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Mohammad Asif Ansari | Last updated Mar 16, 2026 10:10 AM ET

As the 2023 NCAA national champion LSU Tigers chase another title, and the Maravich Assembly Center sees a major shift. Head coach Kim Mulkey confirms an assistant coach’s departure during a crucial week for the LSU Tigers.

The long-time coach Daphne Mitchell will join Gary Redus II at Rutgers University. Mitchell worked with Mulkey for six seasons at Baylor before the pair moved to Baton Rouge in 2021. Both coaches once played professional ball overseas before they chose to launch coaching careers in the United States.

Mitchell helped develop elite players like Angel Reese and Aneesah Morrow at LSU. Under her watch, Reese and Morrow both reached the top 10 in the record books for rebounds. Her work was a key reason the workforce was able to win a national title in 2023.

NEWS: LSU assistant coach Daphne Mitchell will follow Gary Redus II to Rutgers, Kim Mulkey confirms, as first reported by @ByCoryDiaz & @byreeddarcey.
— E J (@EJayArrow) March 16, 2026

This news follows the exit of Redus, who recently became the head coach for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. Redus was one of the finest strength coaches who was recognized on a 2020 list of top young coaches. Mulkey said she did not want to be selfish by asking him to stay for the playoffs.

"I know his love for our program and our team, he’d want to be on the bench for us too,” she told 104.5 ESPN. “But as a mentor, I can’t be selfish and ask him to stay with our team because this could be a long three- or four-week process with the playoffs. You need to be working."

Mulkey will search for a permanent hire after the tournament concludes. In the meantime, the current staff will step in to fill the gap. Assistant coach Bob Starkey will continue to handle the scout reports. Seimone Augustus will move to passing drills to help the personnel reach their peak. Joe Schwartz will also assist Starkey with the details.

The Tigers enter the NCAA Tournament as a No. 2 seed. This is the highest seeding for the school since 2008. The game against No. 15 seed Jacksonville Dolphins is slated for Friday at 5 p.m. If the Tigers win, they play the winner of the Texas Tech Lady Raiders and Villanova Wildcats game on Sunday.

Mulkey said she believes the manpower shifts will not hurt the performance of the team. She noted that the "infectious personality" of Redus helped him build good relations with any colleague. LSU aims to maintain its status as a top national contender. The remaining coaches will watch the minutiae to keep the season alive.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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