The Missouri State University Board of Governors approved an extension to the contract of head women’s basketball coach Kellie Harper Friday afternoon at its June meeting.
Harper’s new contract extends her current employment term to April 14, 2021, including a privately-funded increase of $12,500 to her base salary, as well as a retention incentive of $100,000 if the coach remains at MSU through April 14, 2019.
“I am extremely pleased with the job Kellie and her staff have done in their time at Missouri State, and am looking forward to having her as our head coach for many years to come,” said Director of Athletics Kyle Moats.
“I truly love Missouri State and our Lady Bears program and look forward to some exciting years ahead of us,” added Harper. “I greatly appreciate our administration for their support.”
Harper guided the Lady Bears to a 24-10 record and the program’s 14th NCAA Tournament appearance in 2015-16 after winning the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament. She owns a 56-42 record in three seasons at MSU, the second-most wins by a coach through three years in program history, and has a 35-19 mark in league games. Harper also became the 11th coach in NCAA history to take three schools to the NCAA Tournament after MSU’s appearance in 2016.
