Kellie Jolly Harper is a famous American basketball coach. She was the former head women’s coach of the Tennessee Lady Volunteers until she was fired on April 1st 2024. (This is not some goofy April 1st prank).
Kellie was also the head coach at NC state, Western Carolina and Missouri state. She was born in Sparta, TN on May 3, 1977.
Biography (wiki)
Basketball coach, Kellie harper was born Kellie Jean Jolly in Sparta, Tennessee. She was born on May 3, 1977, and she’s 46 years old. Her change of name became legal after her marriage to Jon Harper.
Kellie has a younger brother, Brent Jolly whom they grew together. Brent is her only siblings and according to sources, their father passed away.
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Kellie’s Age and date of birth
Harper was born on May 3, 1977 in TN and she’s 46 years old. She celebrates her birthdays every year on May 3rd.
Kellie Harper’s Personal Life
Kellie is currently married to her long time sweetheart, Jon Harper. Jon is a member of her coaching staff at western Carolina, north Carolina, TN and Missouri. They two had met and walk down the aisle in 1999.
Their marriage was blessed with two lovely children, Jackson Harper and Kiley Harper.
What is Kellie Harper’s Net Worth?
She has an estimated net worth of $3 million. Her source of income is mainly from her coaching career, private investments, contracts etc.
According to sources, her monthly salary is $100,000. She earned this after getting her third contract which was extended to April 14, 2028.
Kellie’s contract extension was signed after she led the Lady Vols to their second straight sweet 16 Berts in march 2023. This contract Increased her earnings by 1.1 million per year.
Learn More: Why was Kellie Harper fired on April 1? Her buyout dropped by $1.1 million
Kellie’s Career & Education
Kellie was born and raised in Sparta, Tennessee by her parents in 1977. According to sources, [¹] she’s a graduate of “White County High School”, located in Sparta, TN.
While in high school, Kellie harper earned numerous awards and honors as a high school basketball player. She equally performed very well academically and ranked third in her graduating class.
Her set were of the first or starting guards for the Tennessee Lady volunteers during their three consecutive NCAA women’s tournament held between 1996 to 1998.
Kellie Harper’s Height and Weights
She stands at a height of 5ft’ 10inch tall and weighs about 65g. She’s slim and fair in complexion, and has brown hair, and hazel eyes.
Harper’s Playing Career
Kellie harper began to play basketball from 1995 to 1999 in Tennessee. In 1999, she also played for Cleveland Rockers.
Coaching Career
According to sources, Kellie harper’s coaching career official began from 2000–2001 in Auburn as an assistant coach. From 2001–2004, she coached at Chattanooga, TN as an assistant.
She became a full time coach from 2004–2009 after she transfered to Western Carolina. From 2009–2013, she served at NC state as a coach and from 2013–2019 she worked as coach at Missouri state.
Kellie has been a head women’s basketball coach of the Tennessee Lady volunteers since 2019 till present.
“According to sources, Kellie Harper, who won three national titles under legendary Lady Vols coach Pat Summitt, was the fourth-highest paid women’s basketball coach in the SEC in 2023-24 season.”
Why was Kellie Harper fired on April 1st?
Athletes Director Danny White fired Kellie Harper on Monday, April 1st after 5 season with the Lady Vols. He made this decision a week after the Lady Vols lost 79-72 to NC State in the NCAA tournament second round.
In a press release he said:
“Decisions like these are never easy to make, especially with someone who has done so much for the Lady Vols as a three-time national champion student-athlete,” White said in a school release.
“Her love and passion for Tennessee and the Lady Vols is second to none. She has invested so much heart and soul into our program and truly has given her all for Tennessee. I thank Kellie for her stewardship of our women’s basketball program and wish her and Jon well in the next chapter of their lives.
“After seeking input from our student-athletes, I will begin an aggressive search process to find the next leader for our iconic women’s basketball program. To protect the integrity of this process, you will not hear from me until we are ready to announce our new head coach.”
Since Harper was fired without a cause, she is automatically being owed $2,222,916. It’s unfortunate she faced a buyout on the day she was fired.
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Originally posted on November 10, 2022 @ 7:09 pm