Former Lady Vols Coach Kellie Harper Returns to Knoxville

Harper reflects on emotional homecoming as Missouri coach, including players wearing tribute shirt to Pat Summitt

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Former University of Tennessee women's basketball coach Kellie Harper made her return to Knoxville for the first time as the head coach of the Missouri Tigers. During the visit, one of Harper's players, Shannon Dowell, wore a shirt featuring a photo of Harper and legendary Lady Vols coach Pat Summitt. Harper expressed her love for her former players and the special meaning of being back at her alma mater, where her name is on a brick.

Why it matters

Harper's return to Knoxville as an opposing coach highlights the deep connections and lasting impact she had during her five seasons leading the Lady Vols program. Her emotional homecoming sheds light on the reverence the Tennessee community has for the program's history and legendary figures like Summitt.

The details

While visiting the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame, Harper got to see the new exhibit dedicated to her former coach, Pat Summitt, for the first time. Harper, a three-time national champion as a player under Summitt, said the exhibit was "amazing" and that it was "cool" for her current Missouri players to see it as well. During pregame warmups, Missouri guard Shannon Dowell wore a shirt featuring a photo of Harper and Summitt, which Harper said she did not know about beforehand.

  • On February 12, 2026, Kellie Harper returned to Knoxville for the first time as the head coach of the Missouri Tigers.
  • The Missouri Tigers played against the Tennessee Lady Vols on February 12, 2026, resulting in a 98-53 loss for the Tigers.

The players

Kellie Harper

The current head coach of the Missouri Tigers women's basketball team, and a former three-time national champion player and five-season head coach for the Tennessee Lady Vols.

Pat Summitt

The legendary former head coach of the Tennessee Lady Vols women's basketball team, who led the program to eight national championships.

Shannon Dowell

A guard for the Missouri Tigers women's basketball team who wore a shirt featuring a photo of Kellie Harper and Pat Summitt during pregame warmups.

Dana Hart

A representative from the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame who toured Kellie Harper and the Missouri Tigers around the new Pat Summitt exhibit.

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What they’re saying

“I did not know she was gonna wear it, but apparently she did. I love our team. I love those kids. I really do. Like I said we're not perfect. We're going to make mistakes, but, man, they try. They really do. And I do honestly enjoy coaching them.”

— Kellie Harper, Head Coach, Missouri Tigers

“The exhibit's amazing. I think it was cool for our players to go over there. Obviously, for me, to be able to see, in particular, that new Pat Summitt exhibit, it was just really cool.”

— Kellie Harper, Head Coach, Missouri Tigers

“My name's on a brick up there, so I get it. Anytime I come here, I'm going to get it, and I willingly accept that. It's just part of who I am and where I'm at, where I've been. I understand that, but I can also get on that bus and get really excited about the team I'm coaching.”

— Kellie Harper, Head Coach, Missouri Tigers

What’s next

The Missouri Tigers will continue their SEC schedule, looking to bounce back from the loss to Tennessee. Kellie Harper will have another opportunity to return to Knoxville when the Tigers face the Lady Vols again later in the season.

The takeaway

Kellie Harper's emotional homecoming to Knoxville as the opposing coach highlights the lasting impact she had as a player and coach for the Tennessee Lady Vols program. Despite the loss, Harper's fondness for her former players and the Tennessee community shines through, demonstrating the deep connections that can be forged in college sports.