Mizzou women’s basketball made a significant move in the coaching world on Tuesday by hiring former Tennessee head coach Kellie Harper. The announcement was made by Mizzou athletic director Laird Veatch, who emphasized his desire for a proven winner with extensive head coaching experience. “Kellie is a proven winner and dynamic leader who understands the ‘Will to Win’ necessary to succeed at the sport’s highest level,” Veatch said after the hiring. “We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Kellie Harper and her family to Mizzou.”
Before joining Mizzou, Harper spent five seasons as the head coach of the Tennessee Lady Volunteers, compiling a 108-52 overall record, including four straight NCAA Tournament appearances and two Sweet 16 berths. Due to COVID-19, her first season was cut short before the tournament began.
Harper’s 53-24 SEC record places her third in winning percentage, behind only LSU’s Kim Mulkey and South Carolina’s Dawn Staley. She built a reputation for recruiting elite players throughout the SEC, coaching several future WNBA players, including first-round picks Rennia Davis (2021), Rae Burrell (2022), Jordan Horston (2023), and Rickea Jackson (2024).
Before her time at Tennessee, Harper coached for six seasons at Missouri State, four at NC State, and five at Western Carolina. At Missouri State, she led the Lady Bears to a Sweet Sixteen appearance in 2019 and was named Missouri Valley Coach of the Year and Kay Yow Coach of the Year following that successful campaign.
“I am incredibly honored to be the next head coach at Mizzou,” Harper said in a statement. “I look forward to working with our leadership and our student-athletes, building strong relationships throughout the community, and winning championships in Columbia. I can’t wait to get started.”
At 47, Harper becomes the fifth head coach in Mizzou women’s basketball history, dating back to the program’s inception in the 1974-1975 season. The previous three coaches all held the position for more than 10 years (Robin Pingeton, Cindy Stein, Joann Rutherford).
