The recent trend of making Mount Rushmores of the most iconic individuals in a specific field is becoming very popular in basketball circles.
People are using AI to make images of their custom Mount Rushmores with the heads of the “Greatest of All Time,” according to them. In a recent Reddit post on r/NCAAW, a fan listed UConn’s Geno Auriemma, Tennessee’s Pat Summitt, Stanford’s Tara VanDerveer, and South Carolina’s Dawn Staley as the top four coaches in the sport.
Fans Debate Who Deserves Place on the Best Coach Mount Rushmore: Dawn Staley or Kim Mulkey?
This post made the fans divided, with LSU’s Kim Mulkey emerging as a contentious figure in the conversation, her four national titles pitted against Staley’s rising legacy.
Kim Mulkey’s resume is very impressive. With four national championships, three at Baylor (2005, 2012, 2019) and one at LSU (2023), she has built championship programs at two schools. “Mulkey has 4 rings and has built championship programs at 2 schools. That two schools are an important statistic,” one Reddit user argued.
Her 2025-26 season, pushed to new heights by the transfer of South Carolina’s MiLaysia Fulwiley, underscores her recruiting prowess. Fulwiley, praised by Mulkey as “one of the most electrifying talents in college basketball,” averaged 11.7 points and 2.0 assists last season, per ESPN.
Mulkey’s ability to attract stars like Fulwiley, Mikaylah Williams, and Flau’jae Johnson keeps LSU in title contention, making her one of the most important driving forces behind her team’s run.
Yet, Mulkey’s polarizing persona holds her back. Her reported comments encouraging players to hide their sexuality at Baylor and confrontational media interactions, like snapping at a student reporter after LSU’s 2025 Elite Eight loss to UCLA (72-65), are the reason behind a lot of criticism.
“Mulkey has severely underachieved the last two years despite having quality players,” one fan noted, pointing to back-to-back Elite Eight exits.
On the other hand, Staley’s case is equally compelling. Since taking over South Carolina in 2008, she’s transformed the Gamecocks into a juggernaut, securing three NCAA titles (2017, 2022, 2024) and a perfect 38-0 season in 2024. Her 612-186 record, including 199-55 in NCAA Tournaments, reflects her consistent leadership.
Staley’s 5-2 head-to-head edge over Mulkey, including a 66-56 win over LSU on January 24, 2025, bolsters her case. “Staley has won four of her last head-to-head games with Mulkey,” per Sportskeeda.
Her ability to rebuild after losing five starters in 2023 earned praise: “What Staley did this year will go down in history,” an X post declared.
Who Is the GOAT?
Fans largely agree that Auriemma (11 titles) and Summitt (eight titles) are locks. Mulkey often edges out VanDerveer (three titles) for the third spot due to her multi-program success, while Staley’s recent dominance, six Final Fours and nine SEC titles, has her “surpassing soon but not yet,” per one fan.
KEEP READING: Why Did MiLaysia Fulwiley Choose LSU, Kim Mulkey? South Carolina Star’s Transfer Sparks Fan Debate on Loyalty, Identity
Auriemma’s longevity makes him the consensus GOAT, though Summitt’s legacy remains neck-and-neck had Alzheimer’s not cut her career short.
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