NC State Fires Former Lady Vol

Jan 08, 2012; Durham, NC, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack head coach Kellie Harper gives her players instructions against the Duke Blue Devils during the first half at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports

On Tuesday NC State said that Kellie Jolly Harper would not return next season after missing the NCAA Tournament for the third year in a row. “We thank Kellie for her service to our women’s basketball program,” said Director of Athletics Deborah A. Yow. “We wish her the best in her future endeavors.”

Harper just completed her fourth season as head coach for the Wolfpack with an overall record of 70-64 (.522) and was 23-39 (.371) in ACC play. Harper led the team to the NCAA Tournament in her first season, but failed to do so the previous three years. “We will begin a national search immediately,” said senior associate athletics director and women’s basketball supervisor Michael Lipitz, “but have no specific timeline for completion.”

Kelly Jolly Harper played at the University of Tennessee from 1995-1999. She was a starting point guard during Pat Summit`s three consecutive NCAA Women’s National Championships. She coached at Western Kentucky from 2004-2009 with an overall record of 97-65 before taking the NC State job.