Kellie Harper’s husband, Jon Harper, has played a vital role in her coaching success.
Highlights
- Kellie Harper’s husband, Jon Harper, has served as an assistant coach for 23 seasons, with 20 of those years working alongside his wife, Kellie.
- Under the Harpers’ leadership at Tennessee, the program produced four consecutive WNBA first-round draft picks (Rennia Davis, Rae Burrell, Jordan Horston, and Rickea Jackson).
- Jon’s mentored 15 All-Missouri Valley Conference selections at Missouri State.
Born on May 3, 1977, in Sparta, Tennessee, Kellie Jolly Harper has become a formidable figure in women’s collegiate basketball.
A White County High School graduate, Harper first gained national recognition as a starting point guard for the legendary Tennessee Lady Volunteers, where she contributed to three consecutive NCAA national championships from 1996 to 1998.
Her exceptional performance earned her a spot on the Final Four All-Tournament team in 1997.
Harper’s coaching career began shortly after her playing days, and she has steadily built an impressive resume over the years.
At Western Carolina, she surpassed Beth Dunkenberger to become the second-winningest women’s basketball coach in the school’s history.
Although her four-year stint at NC State yielded mixed results (70-64 overall, 23-39 in the ACC) and ultimately led to her dismissal in 2013, Harper quickly rebounded.
At Missouri State, Harper transformed the Lady Bears program, guiding them to five consecutive top-three finishes in the Missouri Valley Conference and five straight postseason appearances.
The 2018-19 season was a career highlight for Harper, as she led her team to the Sweet Sixteen with upset victories over DePaul and Iowa State, earning the prestigious Kay Yow Coach of the Year award.
In 2019, Harper’s career came full circle when she returned to her alma mater as head coach of the Tennessee Lady Volunteers.
During her five-year tenure at Tennessee, she maintained the program’s tradition of excellence with four consecutive NCAA tournament appearances, including two Sweet Sixteen finishes.
After her departure from Tennessee in April 2024, Harper briefly served as a women’s basketball analyst on the SEC Network before accepting the head coaching position at Missouri Tigers in March 2025.
Jon Harper Has Been More Than Just a Husband—He’s Been A Coaching Partner
Jon Harper has been more than just Kellie Harper’s husband—he has been her professional partner throughout most of her coaching career.
Their professional and personal journeys have been intertwined for over two decades, with Jon serving as an assistant coach alongside Kellie at various institutions.
The couple’s coaching collaboration began at Chattanooga from 2001-2004, a partnership that materialized after head coach Wes Moore recognized the potential of having both Harpers on his staff.
What started as a fortuitous opportunity—Jon was working at a golf course when Kellie mentioned Moore’s interest in hiring her—has developed into one of the most enduring coaching partnerships in women’s college basketball.
The 2023-24 campaign marked Jon’s fifth year at Tennessee and his 23rd season as an assistant coach.
More significantly, it represented his 20th year working alongside his wife.
During their time at Tennessee, the couple led the Lady Vols to an impressive 108-52 overall record and a 53-24 mark in SEC play.
Keeping up with Kellie!
— Lady Vols Basketball (@LadyVol_Hoops) February 7, 2024
Get a glimpse at a day in the life of Kellie Harper. pic.twitter.com/e4CK4yH4YZ
The program consistently finished in the top three of the conference and made notable tournament runs, including SEC Tournament semifinal appearances in 2021, 2022, and 2024, plus a title game appearance in 2023.
Under the Harpers’ guidance, Tennessee produced four consecutive WNBA first-round draft picks—an unprecedented achievement in the program’s storied history.
Even the legendary Pat Summitt managed only three straight first-round selections during her tenure.
Jon’s influence helped develop talents like Rennia Davis, Rae Burrell, Jordan Horston, and Rickea Jackson, all of whom have taken their skills to the professional level.
Jon’s coaching journey began at Auburn, where he served as a practice player and team manager from 1996-1999.
During those years, the Lady Tigers won the 1997 SEC Tournament Championship and made two NCAA Tournament appearances.
After earning his bachelor’s degree in health promotion/sports management in March 1999, Jon briefly taught physical education and coached football at Lee-Scott Academy in Auburn before returning to basketball.
Throughout his career, Jon has demonstrated exceptional talent development skills. At Missouri State, he mentored 15 All-Missouri Valley Conference selections, including two-time first-team picks and conference player of the year honorees.
Happy Anniversary @KellieHarper! Thanks for a great 16 years. I love you!#CheckOutThoseBabyFaces pic.twitter.com/eefseleNzE
— Jon Harper (@JHarp_10) May 15, 2015
At NC State, he helped players achieve All-Atlantic Coast Conference recognition and guided a team predicted to finish ninth to a fifth-place finish and NCAA Tournament berth.
Beyond his professional contributions, Jon plays a crucial role in recruitment.
His presence has helped attract top talent to their programs, including highly-ranked high school recruits and transfer portal players.
At Tennessee, he helped secure the nation’s No. 6 ranked portal class in 2023, according to 247Sports.
A Playful Look at the Harpers’ Competitive and Lighthearted Side
The Harpers’ personal life blends seamlessly with their professional endeavors.
They married in May 1999 and welcomed their son, Jackson, in November 2013, followed by a daughter, Kiley, in June 2018.
Despite their intense professional collaboration, the couple maintains a healthy work-life balance. As Kellie notes,
“People think that we go home and we talk about it 24/7. We don’t. I think the benefit of having children, we go home and it’s all about them when we’re at home.”
utdailybeacon
After tough losses or challenging practices, Jon understands Kellie’s perspective in ways a non-coaching spouse might not. Kellie explains,
“I don’t go home after a tough loss or even a tough practice and my spouse puts his arm around me and says ‘It’s OK, honey.’ It’s not OK. He gets it. So having somebody that really truly understands what we’re going through or what I’m going through each and every day, I think it’s been beneficial.”
utdailybeacon
Even after 24 years of marriage, the Harpers maintain their individual perspectives.
In a playful video shared on social media, the couple revealed their disagreements on various topics, including who takes longer to get ready in the morning and who is more competitive.
These glimpses into their personal dynamic showcase the authentic partnership that has sustained both their marriage and their coaching careers.
Additional Information
- As a coach, she has led teams to four conference tournament championships across the Southern Conference (SoCon) and Missouri Valley Conference (MVC).
- She was named Coach of the Year in two different conferences—SoCon in 2007 and MVC in 2019—along with receiving the prestigious Kay Yow Coach of the Year award in 2019.
- Kellie Harper won three NCAA championships as a player from 1996 to 1998.
