Tennessee fired women’s basketball coach Kellie Harper, the school announced Monday. The Volunteers will begin a nationwide search for her replacement, looking to return women’s basketball’s winningest program to the top of the sport.
In Harper’s five seasons leading the Lady Vols, Tennessee went 108-52. Her teams never finished above third in the SEC and had four postseason appearances but never made it past the Sweet 16. Last weekend, Tennessee’s season ended with a loss to North Carolina State in the second round.
“After a thorough review of our women’s basketball program, I have informed Kellie we are making a change in leadership,” Tennessee athletic director Danny White said in a statement. “Decisions like these are never easy to make, especially with someone who has done so much for the Lady Vols as a three-time national champion student-athlete. Her love and passion for Tennessee and the Lady Vols is second to none. She has invested so much heart and soul into our program and truly has given her all for Tennessee. I thank Kellie for her stewardship of our women’s basketball program and wish her and Jon well in the next chapter of their lives.”
Harper was the second consecutive coach hired to lead the women’s basketball program who had direct ties…
