*Former Lady Vols Basketball Coach Kellie Harper Hired at Missouri*
In a move that has sent shockwaves throughout the women’s college basketball world, former University of Tennessee Lady Vols head coach Kellie Harper has been hired as the new head coach at the University of Missouri. The announcement was made official on Tuesday, March 19, 2025, and Harper will be introduced at a press conference on campus later this week.
Harper, who spent six seasons at the helm of the Lady Vols program from 2019-2025, brings a wealth of experience and success to the Tigers’ program. During her time at Tennessee, Harper led the Lady Vols to two NCAA Tournament appearances, including a Sweet 16 berth in 2022.
“We are thrilled to welcome Kellie Harper to the Mizzou family,” said Missouri Director of Athletics, Desiree Reed-Francois. “Kellie is a proven winner with a passion for developing young women on and off the court. We believe she is the perfect fit to lead our women’s basketball program to new heights.”
Harper, a native of Sparta, Tennessee, played college basketball at Tennessee under the legendary Pat Summitt, where she won three NCAA championships. She began her coaching career as an assistant at Auburn before moving on to become the head coach at Western Carolina and then NC State.
“I am honored and excited to be joining the University of Missouri community,” said Harper. “I am looking forward to getting to know our student-athletes, building relationships with our fans and alumni, and working tirelessly to build a championship-caliber program.”
Harper’s hiring at Missouri marks a new era for the Tigers’ women’s basketball program, which has struggled to find consistency in recent years. The team has not appeared in the NCAA Tournament since 2016 and has won just 20 games over the past two seasons.
“We believe Kellie has the vision, expertise, and passion to lead our program to greatness,” said Reed-Francois. “We are committed to providing her with the resources and support necessary to succeed at the highest level.”
Harper’s first order of business will be to assemble a coaching staff and begin evaluating the current roster. She will also hit the recruiting trail, looking to attract top talent to Columbia.
“I am eager to get started and begin building a program that our fans can be proud of,” said Harper. “I believe we have the potential to be a powerhouse in the SEC and nationally, and I am excited to get to work.”
The hiring of Harper has already generated buzz among Missouri fans, who are eager to see a return to prominence for the women’s basketball program.
“We are thrilled to have Kellie Harper on board,” said Missouri alum and women’s basketball season ticket holder, Karen Brown. “We believe she has the experience, expertise, and passion to lead our program to greatness. We can’t wait to see what the future holds.”
As Harper begins her new chapter at Missouri, she will be looking to make an immediate impact and establish the Tigers as a force to be reckoned with in the SEC.
*What This Means for Missouri Women’s Basketball*
The hiring of Kellie Harper as the new head coach of the Missouri women’s basketball program is a significant development that has major implications for the team’s future. Here are a few key takeaways:
– *Immediate Impact*: Harper’s experience and success as a head coach at Tennessee and NC State suggest that she will be able to make an immediate impact at Missouri.
– *Recruiting Boost*: Harper’s reputation as a top recruiter will likely attract top talent to Columbia, which could lead to a significant upgrade in the team’s roster.
– *Culture Change*: Harper’s emphasis on building a strong team culture and developing young women on and off the court could lead to a significant shift in the program’s dynamics.
– *Competitive Edge*: Harper’s experience competing in the SEC and her knowledge of the conference’s top teams will give Missouri a competitive edge in recruiting and on the court.
Overall, the hiring of Kellie Harper is a major coup for Missouri women’s basketball, and fans are eagerly anticipating the start of a new era under her leadership.
