Kellie Harper, head coach of the Lady Vols basketball team, was fired on Monday, according to an announcement from Tennessee sports.
After five years as head coach, Harper’s time comes to an end. She had a 108-52 record, including 53-24 in SEC play.
“It has been an honour to serve at my alma mater and to coach a Lady Vol program I love so dearly,” Harper stated. “I am grateful for the opportunity my staff and I have had to lead an amazing group of young women and to mentor them on the court as well as provide them with life skills that will benefit them far beyond the game of basketball.”
Harper leaves the Lady Vols after losing in the NCAA Tournament second round to NC State. Tennessee advanced to the Sweet 16 in both the 2022 and 2023 tournaments.
Harper won three national championships while playing for former head coach Pat Summitt.
“After conducting a thorough review of our women’s basketball program, I informed Kellie that we are changing leadership,” athletic director Danny White stated. “Decisions like this are never easy to make, especially for someone who has contributed so much to the Lady Vols as a three-time national champion student-athlete. Her devotion and enthusiasm for Tennessee and the Lady Vols is unparalleled. She has poured her heart and energy into our program, honestly giving her all for Tennessee. I applaud Kellie for her leadership of our women’s basketball program and wish her and Jon the best in the next chapter of their lives.”
Harper formerly coached at Western Carolina, North Carolina State, and Missouri State, where all three teams advanced to the NCAA Tournament.
Tennessee athletics will now begin the search for its next head coach.
“After seeking input from our student-athletes, I will begin an aggressive search process to find the next leader for our iconic women’s basketball program,” White stated. “To protect the integrity of this process, you will not hear from me until we are ready to announce our new head coach.”
Share via Facebook, Twitter, email, or print.Copy the article URL and save.
Leave a Reply