After nearly four decades of dominance, Kirkwood Community College’s women’s basketball coach Kim Muhl has earned one of the sport’s highest honors: Induction into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.
Muhl has more than 1,000 career wins as a head coach and nine national championships across 23 national tournament appearances.
Muhl was inducted into the National Junior College Athletic Association Hall of Fame in 2011. Fourteen years later, he will enter the prestigious Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.
He will join UConn women’s basketball head coach Geno Auriemma, the only active coach with more national titles, and WNBA legends Lisa Leslie, Maya Moore, Cynthia Cooper and Tamika Catchings, all considered among the top players in league history. Muhl is not just in great company; he is in legendary company.
“It probably hasn’t sunk in a whole lot yet because we’re in season, but it probably will as time progresses,” Muhl said. “It’s obviously humbling because they do not recognize a lot of junior college people.”
Kirkwood guard and leading scorer Olivia Wren said Muhl’s impact goes beyond basketball and has shaped her and many others on a personal level.
“Playing for Coach Muhl has made me grow not just as an individual on the court but off the court as well,” she said. “He cares about our well-being and how we can translate all the things we’ve been taught by him and the game of basketball and how it can translate to the real world.”
When asked about how he has changed over 37 years at Kirkwood, Muhl said, “I don’t think we’ve changed a whole lot. I’ve changed accordingly to the players and styles. Maybe we are a little faster, maybe we don’t press as much. It depends on the year. We came up with pretty much the same stuff we’re still doing.”
With 1,010 career wins, his coaching philosophy has remained steady throughout his tenure.
“His intensity every day at practice, there’s a standard for him. I believe that’s what makes his teams so good,” Wren said. “I think what’s made him so successful is his knowledge of the game and his players. His intensity and work ethic is contagious.”
One might expect Muhl’s favorite moments at Kirkwood to involve winning one of his nine national titles, sending players to Division-I programs or earning Hall of Fame honors. But he said his greatest reward comes after players move on.
“Once players leave and see how good they had it. I’m never easy on them while they’re here, but once they transfer, they adjust very well wherever they go,” he said.
He added that this is more rewarding than any of his championships.
“He’s not just a coach, I believe. He is a true leader and overall a great person,” Wren said.
The Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame ceremony will take place at the Tennessee Theatre on June 27, 2026 when Muhl will be officially inducted.
“I’m not big on ceremonies or all of that, but this is obviously a huge deal. Not only for me but Kirkwood itself,” Muhl said.
Categories: National News, News
