Missouri Coach Kellie Harper Returns to Face Former Team Tennessee

Harper says game against Lady Vols is about her players, not her own emotions

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Former Lady Vols basketball coach Kellie Harper will make her return to Knoxville leading the Missouri Tigers on February 12th. Harper was fired from Tennessee in 2024 after five seasons as head coach, during which she led the Lady Vols to back-to-back Sweet 16 appearances. She was later hired as the Missouri coach in March 2025. Harper says she is focused on preparing her team and not getting caught up in the emotions of facing her former program and alma mater.

Why it matters

Harper's return to Knoxville as an opposing coach adds an intriguing storyline to the game between Tennessee and Missouri. As a former Lady Vols star player and head coach, Harper's history with the program will be a major point of interest, though she insists the focus should be on the players and the game itself.

The details

Harper spent five seasons as the head coach of the Tennessee Lady Vols from 2019 to 2024, compiling a record of 108-52 and leading the team to back-to-back Sweet 16 appearances in 2022 and 2023. She was then fired in 2024. In March 2025, Harper was hired as the new head coach of the Missouri Tigers. This will be her first time facing her former team and alma mater as an opposing coach.

  • Harper was hired as Missouri's head coach in March 2025.
  • Harper was fired from Tennessee in 2024 after five seasons as head coach.
  • Harper will lead Missouri against Tennessee on February 12, 2026.

The players

Kellie Harper

The current head coach of the Missouri Tigers women's basketball team. She previously served as the head coach of the Tennessee Lady Vols from 2019 to 2024.

Tennessee Lady Vols

The women's basketball team of the University of Tennessee, Kellie Harper's former team.

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What they’re saying

“I know it's gonna be hard for people to understand that, but I'm now almost two years removed, so I do think time takes a lot of emotion out of it.”

— Kellie Harper, Missouri Head Coach (knoxnews.com)

“I can lock in. I can compartmentalize pretty well as a coach and really dive into what needs to be done. And, I know we're going to Knoxville on Thursday, but I'm really, really concerned about how this practice is going to look today. You know, that's really been my focus.”

— Kellie Harper, Missouri Head Coach (knoxnews.com)

What’s next

The game between the Tennessee Lady Vols and the Missouri Tigers is scheduled for February 12, 2026 at 6:30 PM ET.

The takeaway

Kellie Harper's return to Knoxville as the opposing coach adds an intriguing storyline to the game, but she is focused on preparing her Missouri team and not getting caught up in the emotions of facing her former program and alma mater. The game will be a chance for Harper to prove herself against the team she once led.