Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Lady Vols Head Coach Kellie Harper is out after five years at the helm of women’s basketball at the University of Tennessee.

UT’s Vice Chancellor/Director of Athletics Danny White announcing Harper’s firing Monday describing the move as a “change in leadership” while thanking Harper for giving her all for Tennessee and for the Lady Vols.

“After a thorough review of our women’s basketball program, I have informed Kellie we are making a change in leadership,” said White. “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. 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.”

A nationwide search for a new coach is expected to begin immediately.

“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,” said White. “To protect the integrity of this process, you will not hear from me until we are ready to announce our new head coach.”

“It has been an honor to serve at my alma mater and to coach a Lady Vol program I love so dearly,” Harper said. “I am grateful for the opportunity my staff and I have had to lead an amazing group of young women and to mentor them on the court as well as provide them with life skills that will benefit them far beyond the game of basketball.”

UT shared that during her time as a head coach, Harper directed her teams to 16 postseason appearances including back-to-back NCAA Sweet 16s in 2021-22 and 2022-23.