Tennessee coach Kellie Harper discusses first return to NC State
Kellie Harper has not visited Raleigh in 11 years. When she walked the halls of Reynolds Coliseum for the first time in more than a decade, she took note of some of the familiar faces and the recent renovations to NC State’s arena.
The Tennessee women’s basketball head coach followed a Wolfpack legend when she joined the program in 2009. Harper took over for Kay Yow, the architect of NC State women’s basketball, and became the second coach in the program’s history.
After spending four seasons with the Pack, taking the team to one NCAA Tournament, the Wolfpack fired her. She returned to Reynolds this week.
“The Coliseum looks different,” Harper said. “It looks amazing. Just being back brings back a lot of memories, a lot of great people, some really good times.”
Harpers said she knew this matchup was a possibility based on where the programs were projected to fall going into Selection Sunday. NC State head coach Wes Moore doubled down on that.
When he saw Chattanooga pop up as the Wolfpack’s round of 64 opponent, another matchup he expected, he immediately said to watch for the Volunteers on the other side of Raleigh’s bracket. The NCAA enjoys a good storyline.
“I knew based on the numbers they were going to do that because they love doing this stuff,” Moore said. “And then, before they revealed the other half of our little bracket here, I said ‘Get ready because Tennessee’s fixing to pop up too.’”
Sure enough, the Wolfpack could potentially play two programs with deep connections to the Wolfpack staff and roster. Senior guard Madison Hayes grew up in Chattanooga, Moore coached there for 15 years and graduate forward Mimi Collins played her freshman season at Tennessee.
NC State’s head coach considers Harper and her husband Jon, who is also an assistant coach for the Volunteers, two of his closest friends. They have tried to avoid each other in the past but now they could be on a collision course in the round of 32.
Last night, Moore picked up Jon Harper after he arrived at the team hotel, and they spent some time together watching basketball. Moore and the Harpers worked together from 2001-2004 on Chattanooga’s staff, and they have a bond that extends far beyond a potential NCAA Tournament clash.
“No matter what happens on that court, it’s not going to change anything,” Moore said. “They’re two of my dearest friends. I love them.”
Kellie Harper will pace the sidelines of Kay Yow Court Saturday for the first time since her tenure with the Pack. Before even thinking about a showdown with her former school, the Volunteers have to defeat No. 11 seed Green Bay, and NC State needs to take down No. 14 seed Chattanooga.
She is not worried about the emotions that accompany the return to her old stomping grounds. When walking through Reynolds this week, she looked for her old office. She also recognized a specific stairwell that she claimed is one of the hottest locations in Raleigh.
Tomorrow, just like the other three teams who will take the NCAA Tournament court, she’s going to try and coach her team to victory with that singular goal at the front of her mind.
“Obviously it’s fun to walk in and see these things, but when it’s time to go out here and practice or it’s time to go out there and play, we’re locked in,” Harper said. “I don’t think it’s anything that I personally have to worry about in terms of emotions. I’m super excited about our basketball team.”
