COLUMBIA, Mo. (Edited News Release/KY3) - University of Missouri Director of Athletics Laird Veatch announced Tuesday that Kellie Harper has been hired as the head coach of the Mizzou women’s basketball program.

Former Missouri State women's basketball coach Kellie Harper has been tabbed as the next head coach at the University of Missouri. Harper was announced as the Tigers' next head coach on Tuesday afternoon. She coached the Lady Bears from 2013-19, before becoming the head coach at Tennessee, her alma mater.

The 47-year-old Harper is both a veteran of coaching and familiar with the state she will now coach in. Before taking the Tennessee job, Harper was the head coach at Missouri State from 2013-19, leading the Lady Bears to two NCAA Tournament appearances — one of which included a trip to the Sweet 16.