Harper replaces Robin Pingeton, who spent 15 seasons at the program’s helm
Former Tennessee Volunteers head coach Kellie Harper has been announced as the next head coach of Missouri Women’s basketball.
She fills the space left by Robin Pingeton, former head coach of 15 seasons, following her departure from the program. Harper will look to adapt the program to allow for more wins in the 2025-26 season, in which a new era of Missouri women’s basketball begins.
“I look forward to working with our leadership and our student-athletes, building strong relationships throughout the community and winning championships in Columbia,” Harper said. “The foundation is in place for success — and I can’t wait to get started.”
Her eagerness to better the team and community has been exhibited in previous coaching tenures, as she was awarded the 2019 Kay Yow Coach of the Year during her time with Missouri State. This award is given to the Division I women’s head coach who displays great character both on and off the court.
In an earlier press release, Missouri Director of Athletics Laird Veatch stated what qualities he was searching for in the program’s next head coach.
“I want to start with a proven winner,” Veatch said. “Preferably head coach experience, particularly at this level and preferably multiple stops.”
Harper’s postseason experience, along with regular season success, could match these stated qualities.
Harper has had habitual success in her coaching career, capturing four conference tournament championships in her 20-year career. Two came with Western Carolina in the Southern Conference and two with Missouri State in the Missouri Valley Conference. In between the two stops, she spent four seasons with North Carolina State, where she tacked on an additional NCAA tournament appearance.
Her latest stop was a five-season stint with Tennessee, where she led the team to four consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances. Most notably of which were the two Sweet Sixteen appearances in the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons.
Harper is one of two coaches in the history of women’s college basketball to lead four different programs to tournament appearances. If there’s somebody to solve the Tigers’ six-year tournament drought, Harper’s resume stacks her up for it.
The Tigers have compiled multiple underwhelming seasons of conference play over the last few years. They joined a four-way tie for last place in 2024-25 and solely owned last place the previous year. Harper’s track record of winning will lead Missouri women’s basketball into uncharted territory.
“I am incredibly honored to be the next head coach at Mizzou,” Harper said. “Missouri is a special place, and I know firsthand the passion and pride that surrounds this program. Our family is excited to return to the state of Missouri.”
Edited by Michael Stamps | mstamps@themaneater.com
Copy edited by Natalie Kientzy | nkientzy@themaneater.com
Edited by Annie Goodykoontz | agoodykoontz@themaneater.com