The LSU Lady Tigers started the 2023-24 NCAA season with a setback, but being the best team in the league and last year’s champions, they are making an impressive comeback. They have played five matches thus far, out of which they lost only one. But in a change of events, the resurgent team has landed in controversy, and the latest one has mired their head coach.

It seems like the Lady Tigers can’t catch themselves a break, as from the start of the season, they have been under fire either because of losing to the No. 20-ranked Colorado or because of the recent speculations around Angel Reese and Coach Mulkey’s issues. 

Coach creates new controversy

After the Tigers secured a victory against Southeastern Louisiana, their head coach addressed the media in a post-game conference. During the interview, people saw Kim Mulkey visibly ill and joked about her illness.

She said, “I ain’t a sissy, I don’t have allergies. I got some kind of cold. It might be COVID, but I ain’t tested! No, it’s sinus, I don’t know what you call it, allergies, flu, I don’t know. So if you all get the flu, blame me during Thanksgiving, alright?”

Her comments left fans livid. Many of them took to social media to show their disappointment and anger, as COVID-19 has killed people in the US. One fan said, “This is personal.”

Another fan wrote on Twitter, “It’s funny folks realizing that Kim Mulkey is real life Cruella de Vil & she is the DEVIL on the low that dress like Steve Harvey.” One more chimed in with, “This is just unacceptable from Kim Mulkey. I almost died myself from Covid and came very close. This is disgusting to watch on all levels.”

People who lost family and friends to the virus were unhappy with the statements she made. After all, it was a global issue that severely affected people.

A comment like this rubbed many the wrong way. Some social media users questioned the leadership acumen of Coach Mulkey. She made these statements just five days after benching Reese. Kim Mulkey called it “coach’s decision.”

Watch This Story: Impressing A’ja Wilson With NCAA Fierceness, Angel Reese Opens Up About Impact on WNBA

Angel Reese did not play in the second half of LSU’s 109-79 win over Kent State on Tuesday. When the coach was asked to explain her decision, she said, “I could, but I won’t.”

Tigers on Track

Despite all this going on around the team, the Lady Tigers are still securing every match with an average difference of 43 points. And with Angel Reese being sidelined, the Tigers are still maintaining their No.1 team title. 

As the team will face the Texas Southern Tigers, there is no final update on Reese. The top gun’s absence is itself setting the rumor mills abuzz about the growing bickering between Kim and Angel. Whatever the case, the episode has already cast a shadow on the LSU’s consecutive championship ambitions. 

Will the Lady Tigers roar their way to success again? Well, a lot depends on the game Mulkey now wants to play.

Read More: Amid Risen Tension Around Angel Reese and Kim Mulkey, LSU Glide Past Tough Test