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