“Why doesn’t this generation want to lead?”: Kim Mulkey gets blunt about lack of leadership on LSU
Kim Mulkey isn't happy with LSU's leadership situation. The Tigers coach took her players to task during Tuesday's interview with T-Bob Hebert and Jacob Hester on their "Off The Bench" program at ESPN 104.5. Her criticism comes after the Tigers committed 21 turnovers in their 85-57 win over the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns on Sunday.
The Tigers looked out of sorts in the first half, recording 17 of their 21 turnovers in the opening two quarters. Assistant coach Bob Starkey first brought up the leadership issue while discussing LSU's performance during the postgame news conference. Mulkey echoed his sentiments, saying that her players must do their part to fill that leadership void.
"That’s all we talked about. It was leadership," Mulkey said (Timestamp: 6:18). "As a coach, (I ask) why doesn’t this generation of young people want to lead? Because they want to be liked. And when you’re a leader, you’re not gonna be liked all the time. I just don’t get that."
Mulkey added that she doesn't care whether her player leads through actions or words as long as she gets the job done.
"I don’t care what it takes," Mulkey said. " I just feel like that when things go south on that floor, a coach can lead you so far but you’re not on that floor with them. You’re not in that huddle at the foul line to tell them what they need to do, to lift them, to pick them up."
Mulkey expounded more on what it takes to be a leader, a character she believes is sorely missing at fifth-ranked LSU (13-0).
"Guess what? You gotta lead when you have a bad game," Mulkey said. "You gotta lead at all times. I can’t go to work and have a bad day. Do I have bad days? Absolutely, I do, but I have to hide it. And that’s what leaders have to do."
Kim Mulkey needs Flau'jae Johnson and Aneesah Morrow to take leadership roles
Kim Mulkey didn't mention specific names, but the onus is on star players Flau'jae Johnson and Aneesah Morrow to take up the leadership mantle for the LSU Tigers.
Johnson was part of the 2023 NCAA championship team, while Morrow is a senior (who transferred from DePaul last season). Johnson and Morrow played sloppily in the win over Louisiana, combining for six turnovers.
Morrow bounced back against the Seton Hall Pirates on Tuesday, scoring 24 points and grabbing 19 rebounds in a 91-64 win. Johnson recorded 17 points, five rebounds and three assists.