History of Kellie Harper in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 25, 2025

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.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

May 3, 1977: Kellie Jolly Harper Born

On May 3, 1977, Kellie Jolly Harper, who later became a successful women's basketball coach, was born.

Others born on this day/year

1994: Cheryl Burnett Wins Coach of the Year

In 1994, Cheryl Burnett won the Missouri Valley Conference Coach of the Year award before Kellie Harper won it in 2019.

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.

1999: Marriage to Jon Harper

In 1999, Kellie Harper married Jon Harper, who was a member of her coaching staff at multiple universities.

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.

2019: Named Kay Yow Coach of the Year

In 2019, Kellie Harper was named the Kay Yow Coach of the Year award winner.

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.