How a lifelong passion helped Kellie Harper return to coaching

COLUMBIA, Mo. — It’s the day of the game for the Missouri women’s college basketball team. In roughly eight hours, Kellie Harper, dressed in a winter-white suit and glimmering gold shoes, will guide the Tigers to victory.

but, on this overcast morning, she’s donned in gray riding pants and tall boots, perched atop a horse named Roger, while someone else takes the lead in coaching.

Crystal Kendrick offers instructions to Harper as she navigates the soft dirt of the training ring on Roger. Harper chastises herself for a misstep while they work on their jumping timing.

“You know what went wrong there,” Kendrick tells her. “Your desire got in your way.”

Harper grins, recognizing the truth in those words.

“I’ve been riding since I was 5, but I’ve never had formal lessons,” she mentions. “Every bit was self-taught, and now I’m discovering all my mistakes. Patience is key. Trust in yourself and avoid overthinking.”

“How often do we coaches share that wisdom with our players? Now it’s my turn to practice what I preach. Being coached is turning me into a better coach.”

Currently in her 21st season as a Division I head coach and her inaugural one at Mizzou, Harper faced a challenging dismissal in April 2024 from her dream role at Tennessee, where she claimed three consecutive NCAA championships as a player under the renowned Pat Summitt. Following this, she took an unplanned year away from coaching.

“I invested everything I had,” asserted Harper, 48, to ESPN. “I couldn’t have loved a school more. There was a shock, but also this overwhelming sentiment of, ‘What comes next?’.

For the first time in Harper’s life, things decelerated. She spent quality time with her son, Jackson, 12, and daughter, Kiley, 7, while contributing as an analyst for the SEC Network. Her love for horses also blossomed during this time.

“Throughout last year, I spoke with many coaching peers who were unhappy,” Harper recounted. “With NIL and the transfer portal, it was tough. It resonated deeply with me. I told myself that if I were to coach again, happiness would be my focus.”

TENNESSEE HIRED HARPER in 2019, with the intention that she would spend her career there.

During her tenure, the Lady Vols registered a record of 108-52 and consistently finished no lower than tied for fourth place in the SEC, widely regarded as the most competitive conference in women’s college basketball. They reached the Sweet 16 twice but fell short of a fan base eager for a return to the Final Four since 2008, the year when Summitt secured the program’s eighth national championship.

After her time at Tennessee, Harper wasn’t in a rush to jump back into coaching elsewhere. She and her husband, Jon, concluded that they needed a change of scenery.

“With no specific destination in mind, we were uncertain of what to do next,” Harper reflected.

They eventually found themselves in Florida.

“I was practically at the barn five days a week,” she stated. “Jon and I discussed it, and he suggested, ‘Regardless of whether you coach again, keep engaging in this. He noticed how joyous it made me.’

She chuckled, “It was his subtle way of implying, ‘You’re much more pleasant when you do this.’

In the 1990s, Kellie Harper (née Jolly) played point guard for the Lady Vols while Jon participated in multiple sports and served as a practice player to support the women’s team at Auburn. They connected when he attended a summer camp in Tennessee and were married in 1999. though Jon has been part of Kellie’s coaching staff at her prior roles, he is not serving in that capacity this season at Missouri. They decided that as their children grew and became involved in various activities, it would be beneficial for one not to coach.

While golf is Jon’s primary passion outside of basketball, he recognizes the importance horses have for Kellie.

“Honestly, if you told her she could only spend her day at the barn shoveling manure, she’d still be eager to go,” Jon joked.

Kellie added, “It may sound odd, but it’s the physical aspects I adore. It’s something Pat and I could always connect over. She understood the hard work that comes with being a country girl.”

“When I stepped into coaching, she advised me that you can’t allow work to dominate every moment. You’ll end up exhausted.”

CRYSTAL KENDRICK WAS NOT aware of the woman on the other end of the phone. She recalled a “kind lady with a Southern drawl” who mentioned she had just relocated to Missouri and had ridden horses since childhood, now wanting to take lessons for the first time.

but, Kendrick, owner of Mid-Mo Riding Center in Columbia, was fully booked. Yet, as their conversation progressed during that call in May 2025, Kendrick sensed how significant these lessons were for Harper.

“I need to accommodate this one,” Kendrick realized.

While Harper had always enjoyed riding casually, pursuing equestrian instruction became a goal on her bucket list.

“I aim to learn English riding, jumping, and eventing,” Harper articulated. “If you schedule a lesson, you’re less likely to cancel. Otherwise, it’s easy to convince yourself that you have other priorities. I’m determined to ensure this remains a top priority.”

play

Highlight: Missouri earns impressive home win over Texas A&M

Grace Slaughter pours in 24 points while Jayla Smith scores 15 off the bench as the Tigers take down the Aggies, 81-70.

Mike Neighbors understands Harper’s sentiments. He resigned last March after eight seasons at Arkansas and joined the Los Angeles Sparks as an assistant during the WNBA season. Like Harper, he’s currently working as an SEC Network analyst, spending time with his kids, and preparing for his return to coaching.

but, he emphasizes the necessity for interests outside of basketball, such as joining a local band to play guitar. “It’s therapeutic; it’s essential,” Neighbors stated. “I would have burned out long ago without my guitar, live music, or even pursuing quirky collections from vintage shops.”

“Yet, many coaches hesitate to explore such outlets. We’ve all grown up with the notion that if you’re not grinding 24/7, someone else is – and they’ll outwork you. I think that’s a flawed mindset, and I regret adhering to it for so long. Often, pushing to watch more game footage leads to diminishing returns anyway.”

“I’m thrilled for Kellie and her discovery, and I wish more coaches would embrace this. There’s a trend among coaches in both men’s and women’s basketball to either adapt or step away,” he added.

HARPER’S FIRST HEAD COACHING position came at Western Carolina in 2004. She transitioned to NC State in 2009, succeeding Hall of Famer Kay Yow. After four seasons, following a change in leadership, she moved to Missouri State in 2013.

Her Lady Bears reached the Sweet 16 in 2019, establishing a promising pathway to Tennessee. She took over from another former Lady Vol, Holly Warlick, who had stepped in after Summitt retired in 2012.

At Missouri, Harper isn’t constantly compared to a championship legacy. The Tigers’ last NCAA appearances in the last 19 seasons occurred between 2016 and 2019, when current WNBA player Sophie Cunningham shone. The team hasn’t advanced to the Sweet 16 since 2001 and currently holds a record of 14-9 overall and 2-6 in the SEC, with a victory over Texas A&M last Sunday.

Junior Grace Slaughter, the leading scorer for the Tigers (19.3 PPG) and rebounder (7.4 RPG), expressed her excitement upon hearing Harper would be the new head coach, recalling the impression Harper left during Tennessee’s games against Mizzou.

“Her demeanor, the energy she brings to coaching,” Slaughter remarked. “That’s the energy we’re experiencing from her here too. You genuinely want to perform well for her. You want to make her proud.”

Harper is aware that numerous inquiries will arise related to her time at the Lady Vols as Missouri prepares to face Tennessee on February 12. She intends to prepare her Tigers for the game but is unfazed by the potential distractions, having taken time to reflect on it.

“I’m someone who focuses entirely on the task at hand and finds joy in it,” stated Harper. “And there’s a saying that resonates with me: if you’ve been in this profession long enough, it’s not merely about your location; it’s about the individuals accompanying you.”

While Harper had several coaching opportunities, she valued the edges gained from having lived and recruited in Missouri – where both her children were born – for six years during her stint at Missouri State. It represented a chance to enter the SEC once again, with confidence in assembling a strong coaching team. Conversations with Missouri athletic director Laird Veatch also felt instinctively right.

“The previous positions I’ve held often came with the shadow of existing legends,” Harper explained regarding Yow and Summitt, who both have passed away, leaving a lasting legacy. “At Tennessee, people frequently noted how I resembled Pat, mostly due to our similar accents. Numerous individuals commented on how much I reminded them of her.”

“Whether that comparison was valid wasn’t the key point. What mattered was their desire for Pat to return. I yearn for Pat’s presence as well. The reality is I still want Pat here. The expectations of being her successor were constant and it was something I anticipated and was prepared to manage. Comparisons are inevitable.”

At Mizzou, a new challenge arises: rebuilding confidence and competitiveness.

“That’s where I excel: transforming situations and steering them on an upward path,” Harper conveyed. “I enjoy tackling the intricacies, identifying what needs improvement. We must strive for excellence, recruit students who are passionate about fighting for victories, and cultivate a resilient mentality. I believe we can build a strong foundation with that spirit.”

This will demand patience and hard work. but, her time spent at the Mid-Mo barn has been revitalizing. After tidying up Roger post-lesson and caring for her horse, Saint, she plans to drive home, followed by a trip to Mizzou Arena for shootaround. The morning, enriched by the horse barn’s scents, Teddy the friendly dog, and Sparky the slightly mischievous goat, has revitalized her energy.

“I genuinely think Pat would be proud of my endeavors,” expressed Harper. “I recall her advising me as a young coach, ‘Kellie, I’m off to the beach for two weeks. You better find something that helps you step away from this.’

“Back then, I didn’t recognize the necessity. even so, here was one of the greatest coaches in history imparting this wisdom. She was incredibly insightful to understand its importance.”