Harper fired as Lady Vols coach after five seasons
Former Lady Bears coach was 108-52 at Tennessee
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Kellie Harper's time to restore Lady Vols basketball to glory is up after five seasons.
Athletic director Danny White announced Harper's firing Monday, one week after the Lady Vols lost 79-72 to NC State in the NCAA
Tournament second round.
"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," White said in a school release. "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.
"After seeking input from our student-athletes, I will begin an aggressive search process to find the next leader for our iconic women's basketball program. To protect the integrity of this process, you will not hear from me until we are ready to announce our new head coach."
Tennessee was consistently one of the top teams in SEC under Harper, but it couldn't get over the hump to achieve the success of the past.
Harper left Tennessee better than she found it – a program in decline after legendary coach Pat Summitt's retirement and passing – but she struggled to win against top competition and couldn't break through the Sweet 16. Harper's record at UT was 108-52 and 53-24 in conference play.
Harper, 46, was under contract through April 14, 2028, and because she was fired without cause, she is owed $2,222,916.
Harper's buyout dropped Monday. It went from 100% of her annual compensation through April 14, 2027 to 50% of her annual compensation