Kellie Harper brings a buzz to the Mizzou women's basketball program that has been dormant for years.
The former Tennessee head coach might be exactly what the struggling program needs to get back to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2019.
It has been years of subpar play from Mizzou women's basketball, and frankly, a change in leadership was exactly what the Tigers needed this offseason. While Robin Pingeton accomplished a fair amount during her tenure at MU, it has been over five years since Mizzou finished with a winning conference record.
Harper has had success everywhere she has gone. Literally, everywhere.
The native of Sparta, Tennessee, won three national championships as a point guard for Tennessee during her playing days before ultimately becoming a head coach.
What followed was more winning. In her 20 years of coaching, Harper boasts an overall record of 393-260.
Her most recent stint came at her alma mater, where she coached the Lady Vols to four consecutive NCAA tournament appearances. Tennessee reached the Sweet 16 twice and the Round of 32 twice before Harper was let go after the 2023-24 season.
After one season removed, she landed the job at Mizzou and will be tasked with a monumental turnaround in Columbia.
“We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Kellie Harper and her family to Mizzou," Missouri athletic director Laird Veatch said in a news release.
"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 is exactly what Veatch was looking for, and it seems as though Mizzou hit it out of the park with its hire.
Not only is Harper well-rounded, but she also understands how passionate the Missouri fanbase can be, having spent six seasons at Missouri State before taking the Tennessee gig. During those six seasons, she led the Bears to five postseason appearances, showcasing her ability to win at all levels.
While Harper definitely has her hands full, she has an excellent track record of recruiting talent. It will be interesting to see who she can attract to Mizzou through the transfer portal in this NIL era of college sports.