Columbia News

Kellie Harper has been appointed as the new head coach of the University of Missouri women’s basketball team, becoming the fifth person to lead the program. The announcement was made by University of Missouri Director of Athletics Laird Veatch on Tuesday.

Harper brings two decades of Division I head coaching experience, having guided four different programs to the NCAA Tournament and amassing a 393-260 record over 20 seasons. She has made 16 postseason appearances, including nine in the NCAA Tournament. Her career includes stints at Tennessee, Western Carolina, North Carolina State, and Missouri State.

"We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Kellie Harper and her family to Mizzou," Veatch said. "Kellie is a proven winner and dynamic leader who understands the 'Will to Win' necessary to succeed at the sport's highest level. She is nationally respected, and her experience in the SEC, her deep ties to the state of Missouri and her ability to recruit and develop championship-level players make her the ideal leader for our program. We are incredibly excited about the future of Mizzou Women's Basketball under her leadership."

Harper will be formally introduced at a press conference at Mizzou Arena. Details about this event will be provided later.

"I am incredibly honored to be the next head coach at Mizzou," Harper said. "Missouri is a special place, and I know firsthand the passion and pride that surrounds this program. Our family is excited to return to the state of Missouri. I look forward to working with our leadership and our student-athletes, building strong relationships throughout the community and winning championships in Columbia. The foundation is in place for success — and I can't wait to get started."

University President Mun Choi also commented on Harper’s hiring: "Kellie Harper is a proven winner with a total commitment to excellence," Choi said. "She has developed a championship culture throughout her career, and we know that she will elevate Mizzou women's basketball and build a program that all Missourians will be proud to celebrate."

Todd Graves, Chair of the University of Missouri Board of Curators, expressed his support: "We believe Kellie Harper is the exact leader we need to take Mizzou women's basketball to new heights," Graves said. "She is an established head coach with a track record of success and a vision that aligns with our championship expectations in the SEC."

During her five-year tenure at Tennessee from 2019-24, Harper led teams that achieved two consecutive NCAA Sweet 16 appearances (2022-23), recorded back-to-back 25-win seasons for the first time since 2013-15, and posted a 108-52 overall record (53-24 in SEC play). The Lady Vols’ 13 conference wins in 2022-23 were their most since 2014-15.

Curator Jeff Layman highlighted Harper’s credentials: "Kellie Harper has been a consistent winner everywhere she has coached," Layman said. "She knows Missouri, she knows the SEC and she knows how to win big games. By taking four programs to the NCAA Tournament, with three Sweet 16 appearances, there's no doubt she knows exactly what it takes to build a winner"

Former All-American Sophie Cunningham also praised Harper’s hiring: "I am thrilled for the hiring of Kellie Harper as Mizzou's next women's basketball coach," Cunningham said. "Kellie and her husband, Jon, have experienced winning both in Missouri and in the SEC. I have so much respect for Coach Harper, and I can't wait to support her and our Tigers however I can. I know from experience how incredible this fan base is when they're excited about women's basketball, and I can't wait to get Mizzou Arena rockin! Congratulations to Laird, the Board of Curators and Mizzou Nation on a fantastic hire. MIZ baby!"

Harper’s recruiting efforts include signing highly ranked classes such as No. 15 nationally in 2021 as well as landing one of nation’s top transfer classes according to 247Sports. During her time at Tennessee she coached four WNBA first-round picks—Rennia Davis (2021), Rae Burrell (2022), Jordan Horston (2023) and Rickea Jackson (2024)—making her one of only three coaches all-time with four straight WNBA first-rounders.

As a player under Pat Summitt at Tennessee from 1995–99, Harper helped secure three consecutive NCAA National Championships for the Lady Vols while earning individual honors such as being named an All-Final Four Team member in 1998.

Her coaching history includes stops at Chattanooga as an assistant where she contributed toward three Southern Conference titles before serving as an assistant coach at Auburn under Joe Ciampi.

Harper holds degrees from Tennessee where she played collegiate basketball before being drafted by Cleveland Rockers in fourth round of WNBA draft.

Season tickets for next season are now available starting at $65 through fans’ Mizzou Tigers ticket account.