Starkey, a longtime LSU assistant coach, stepped in for Mulkey at the SEC Tournament on Friday night and got a win over Florida.

Bob Starkey is an LSU legend. Kim Mulkey is advocating for Starkey to make the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame.

According to the SEC Network, Kim Mulkey was away from LSU all week after a death in her family. Bob Starkey is the Tigers' coach vs. Florida.

LSU coach Kim Mulkey allowed assistant Bob Starkey to coach Friday night’s Southeastern Conference Tournament quarterfinal game against Florida while she continued to grieve an unexpected death in her family earlier this week.

After LSU beat Florida, Mulkey took an opportunity to stump for Starkey’s candidacy for the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame. She’s pushed that message before, while crediting Starkey for assuming key responsibilities within her program since he joined her staff in 2022 — a lift that she’s said will extend her coaching career.

LSU women's basketball head coach Kim Mulkey is absent from the SEC conference tournament due to a personal matter.

A look inside of LSU women's basketball week preparing for the SEC Tournament as Kim Mulkey was away from the team.

Kim Mulkey and the LSU Tigers had a lot to overcome heading into the SEC tournament. With their head coach absent due to a tragic loss in her family, the team navigated a high-pressure environment without her leadership for nearly a week.