On Monday, Vice Chancellor/Director of Athletics Danny White announced a leadership change in the Tennessee women’s basketball program. Head coach Kellie Harper will not be returning as head coach next season. White stated that after a thorough review of the program, a decision was made to make a change in leadership.
Harper, a UT graduate and successful head coach, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to lead the Lady Vols program. In her five seasons as head coach, she achieved a 108-52 record with the team. Harper reflected on the honor of coaching at her alma mater and working with talented young women both on and off the court.
Throughout her 20-year coaching career, Harper has amassed a record of 393-260 and has guided teams to 16 postseason appearances. She led the Lady Vols to back-to-back NCAA Sweet 16s and several impressive finishes in the SEC. Harper’s experience as a player at Tennessee, where she won three national championships, has shaped her coaching philosophy and approach to the game.
White emphasized the need to maintain the integrity of the selection process and stated that updates will be provided once a new head coach is ready to be announced. A nationwide search for a new head coach will begin immediately, and White mentioned that he will be aggressively seeking input from student-athletes to find the right person to lead the program.
