The University of Tennessee has recently announced a change in leadership for their women's basketball program. Head coach Kellie Harper will not be returning next season, leaving a vacancy that the university will now begin searching to fill.

In a statement released by the university, Vice Chancellor/Director of Athletics Danny White expressed his gratitude for Harper's contributions to the Lady Vols as a three-time national champion student-athlete. He acknowledged her love and passion for Tennessee and the women's basketball program, recognizing the dedication she has shown over the years. White thanked Harper for her stewardship of the program and wished her and Jon, her husband who is also a coach with the program, the best in their future endeavors.

During her tenure as head coach, Harper successfully led the team to 16 postseason appearances, including 9 NCAA tournaments and 7 Women's National Invitation Tournaments (WNIT). The Lady Vols reached the NCAA Sweet 16 in consecutive seasons, specifically in 2021-22 and 2022-23.

Harper, an alumna of the University of Tennessee, expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to serve at her alma mater and coach a program she holds dear. She highlighted the privilege it has been to lead a group of talented young women both on and off the court, providing them with valuable life skills that extend beyond basketball.

Moving forward, the university will embark on a nationwide search for a new women's basketball coach. White emphasized the importance of gathering input from the student-athletes in this process and vowed to conduct an aggressive search to find the next leader for the program. At present, no updates will be provided until the university is ready to announce the new head coach, in order to maintain the integrity of the selection process.

The University of Tennessee's women's basketball program has a storied history, and this leadership change marks a new chapter in its legacy. The university remains committed to the growth and success of its team, ensuring that the Lady Vols continue to be a force to be reckoned with in collegiate basketball.