Mizzou wants ‘proven winner’ with ‘head coaching experience’ for women’s basketball job

Based on Mizzou athletic director Laird Veatch’s comments at a news conference Friday morning, former Tennessee coach Kellie Harper appears to fit the criteria of a top candidate for the Missouri women’s basketball head coaching position.

After reiterating his respect for former Missouri coach Robin Pingeton, Veatch emphasized his excitement of searching for the Tigers’ next coach.

“We really believe we have a special opportunity here,” he said.

Headlining his list of qualities was a simple one: winning experience.

“I want to start with a proven winner,” Veatch said. “Preferably, head coaching experience at this level and preferably multiple stops.”

He said Mizzou is not a place where someone can come and learn on the fly. Veatch is eyeing someone who has experience with recruiting that they’ve gained through multiple stops.

“It’s important to hire someone particularly at this level of competition, who really knows herself or himself and really understands the type of program that they lead,” Veatch said.

His statements about proven experience narrows the wide net cast for the coaching search, and while experience may drive up the price for Mizzou’s next coach, Veatch emphasized several times he wants to invest in women’s basketball.

“We recognize we’re going to have to invest, likely, more than where we’re at to be successful,” he said.

Veatch referenced MU men’s basketball and football to explain the results from previous commitments to those programs.

He added that there is a balance to be struck as the college athletics landscape changes, but he recognizes the revenue potential with women’s basketball.

“Women’s basketball is clearly on the rise,” Veatch said. “It is getting so much more attention, deservedly so, and we think it is a platform that can continue to provide more brand exposure and benefit our university.”

Other qualities Veatch mentioned during Friday’s press conference were energy to reinvigorate the program and experience with recruiting.

The past three women’s college basketball national champions came from the Southeastern Conference. South Carolina won in 2024 and 2022 while LSU won in 2023.

During her five seasons at Tennessee from 2019-24, Harper was 108-52 overall with a 53-24 record against SEC competition. South Carolina coach Dawn Staley and LSU coach Kim Mulkey were the only two coaches to have a better winning percentage in league games during that span.

Harper never had a losing record in the SEC while making the NCAA Tournament four straight times.

Harper also fills the criteria of having multiple stops. Before her time with the Lady Volunteers, Harper coached three different schools. She coached Western Carolina (2004-09) with a 96-65 record, NC State from 2009-13 with a 70-64 record and Missouri State (2013-19) with a 118-79 record.

While Harper appears to be a suitable candidate by that criteria, Cal coach Charmin Smith could be another option.

On3 and the St. Louis Post-Dispatch previously reported Smith as a candidate. The St. Louis native is in her fifth season at Cal.

In the press conference, Veatch said he would go dark and would not talk with media until the next women’s basketball coach is hired.

Veatch said he has created a small group within the department to help with the coaching search.

The small group includes senior women’s administrator Marcy Girton and Mizzou executive Tami Chievous. Veatch also said that TurnkeyZRG, a talent recruitment and executive search firm, was hired to help with the coaching search.

Copyright 2025 Columbia Missourian

This story was originally published March 8, 2025 at 5:15 AM with the headline "Mizzou wants ‘proven winner’ with ‘head coaching experience’ for women’s basketball job."