Danny White makes first bold move as the Tennessee Vols' athletic director
Danny White made his first bold move as the Tennessee Vols' athletic director on Monday. And he did it on April Fools' Day. Tennessee announced on Monday afternoon that Kellie Harper will not return as the Lady Vols' head coach next season after failing to advance past the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Harper, […]
Danny White made his first bold move as the Tennessee Vols' athletic director on Monday.
And he did it on April Fools' Day.
Tennessee announced on Monday afternoon that Kellie Harper will not return as the Lady Vols' head coach next season after failing to advance past the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Harper, who was a star player for the Lady Vols in the late 90s, went 108-52 during her five seasons leading the program.
“After a thorough review of our women’s basketball program, I have informed Kellie we are making a change in leadership,” said White in a statement. “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.”
“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,” added White. “To protect the integrity of this process, you will not hear from me until we are ready to announce our new head coach.”
Harper also released a statement:
“It has been an honor to serve at my alma mater and to coach a Lady Vol program I love so dearly. 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.”
The move was made on the same day that women's college basketball is at the center of the sports universe with Iowa and LSU set to face off on Monday night.
White has a stellar reputation when it comes to hiring coaches, but this will be one of his biggest hires yet.
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White will be tasked with hiring a coach that can get the Lady Vols back to competing for championships on an annual basis.
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