Career Timeline of Kellie Harper: Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of Kellie Harper, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Kellie Jolly Harper is a women's basketball head coach. She currently coaches the Missouri Tigers. Before coaching at Missouri, she was the head coach at Western Carolina, NC State, Missouri State, and Tennessee.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1996: National Championship

In 1996, Kellie Harper was a starting point guard for the Tennessee Lady Volunteers, beginning their run of three consecutive NCAA women's national championships.

1997: Final Four All Tournament Team

In 1997, Kellie Harper was named to the Final Four All Tournament team as a player for the Tennessee Lady Volunteers.

1998: National Championship

In 1998, Kellie Harper was a starting point guard for the Tennessee Lady Volunteers, during their third consecutive NCAA women's national championship.

January 28, 2008: Becomes Second Winningest Coach in Western Carolina History

On January 28, 2008, Kellie Harper achieved her 66th win as coach, surpassing Beth Dunkenberger to become the second-winningest women's basketball coach in Western Carolina history, with a 60–49 victory over College of Charleston.

March 26, 2013: Fired by NC State

On March 26, 2013, Debbie Yow, the athletic director for NC State, fired Kellie Harper after she had a four-year record of 70-64 overall, but only 23-39 within the Atlantic Coast Conference.

April 10, 2013: Named Head Coach of Missouri State Lady Bears

On April 10, 2013, Kellie Harper was appointed as the head coach of the Missouri State Lady Bears, a team in the Missouri Valley Conference.

2014: First of Five Consecutive Top-Three Finishes

Starting in 2014, Kellie Harper led the Missouri State Lady Bears to the first of five consecutive top-three finishes in the Missouri Valley Conference.

2016: NCAA Tournament Berth

In 2016, Kellie Harper led the Missouri State Lady Bears to the NCAA Tournament.

2018: Lady Bears Regular Season Record

In 2018, the Lady Bears finished the regular season with a 20-9 record (16-2 in the MVC) after starting the season 1-7.

April 8, 2019: Hired as Tennessee Lady Volunteers Coach

On April 8, 2019, Kellie Harper was hired as the next coach of the Tennessee Lady Volunteers.

2019: NCAA Tournament Berth

In 2019, Kellie Harper led the Missouri State Lady Bears to another berth in the NCAA Tournament.

2021: Lady Volunteers Season Record

In her second season, 2021, Kellie Harper led the Tennessee Volunteers to a 17–8 record, which concluded with a loss to Michigan in the Round of 32 in the NCAA Tournament.

April 1, 2024: Fired as Tennessee Head Coach

On April 1, 2024, Kellie Harper was fired as the Tennessee Lady Volunteers head coach after five seasons.

2024: Serves as Women's Basketball Analyst

Following her firing from Tennessee, in 2024, Kellie Harper served as a women's basketball analyst on the SEC Network and provided analysis at the SEC Women's Basketball Tournament.