The NCAA Tournament just got extra occupying now since the women’s Sweet 16 clash and LSU coach Kim Mulkey’s profile are battling for attention. Was it a huge mistake to attack the press in a public manner for Mulkey? As the competition continues, this question lingers, stoked by Mulkey’s recent spat with reporters over an upcoming expose published by The Washington Post. It even overshadowed LSU standout Angel Reese facing the dilemma of turning pro, as her fans begging for “One more year!”

However, Reese and her LSU teammates have been strangely silent about one specific issue about their head coach.

Is trouble brewing for Kim Mulkey’s coached LSU star, Angel Reese

60-year-old Mulkey’s activities, both at Baylor and in her current position at LSU, have generated controversy and unease. Notably, she previously encouraged Baylor fans to take violent revenge on detractors during a football program incident involving sexual assault; she eventually apologized. In addition, WNBA player Brittney Griner, who played under Mulkey at Baylor, disclosed that the coach had imposed a code of silence on players’ sexual orientation, forcing Griner to hide her lesbian identity. Mulkey’s complicated legacy is highlighted by her previous silence during Griner’s suffering in a Russian prison colony.

The troubled past continues to hinder the freedom of speech for the LSU women’s team from speaking about Griner including Angel Reese who was criticized by the head coach in two emails, including listing her social media engagement: she “stay on that social media crap” reported the “hit piece” titled, “The Kim Mulkey way” by Kent Babb. Kim Mulkey’s disputes with elite athletes go beyond isolated incidents; they continue even at LSU matches. Reese missed four straight games from Nov. 17–25 earlier in the season; though there were no comments from Reese. The Post claims Mulkey benched Reese from these games, stating,  “It was just a coach’s decision.” Mulkey also sent an email expressing her displeasure, listing Reese’s social media activity among the players’ problems.

The Post’s latest controversy started when Mulkey openly discredited writer Kent Babb who had been trying to interview her for two years. Mulkey’s attempt to divert focus from the rumored report backfired, bringing the matter under even more scrutiny.

After her threat to the Post, NFL legend Shannon Sharpe also clapped back about Mulkey’s handling of the incident. Now, Mulkey tries to steer the story, but her efforts only show how little she seems to grasp about journalism ethics. She also laments the slow response times to queries that she thought were appropriate. Following up on a brazen threat to sue the Post, Mulkey’s third season as head coach is under scrutiny while the LSU savior, Angel Reese, salvages the heated matches to defend LSU’s national title.

READ MORE Kim Mulkey’s Bold Stance Against ‘Washington Post’ Gets Shannon Sharpe’s Two Cents: “Hired the Best Defamation Firm”