Missouri State hires Kellie Harper as new women's basketball coach

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Kellie Harper, fired two weeks ago at North Carolina State, is the new women's basketball coach at Missouri State.

The university on Wednesday said Harper has agreed to a five-year contract paying $145,000 in annual base salary, plus $60,000 for radio and television shows. The contract also includes performance incentives.

Harper has a career record of 167-128 in nine seasons combined at North Carolina State and Western Carolina, including three NCAA tournament appearances and four in the Women's NIT. As a player she was part of three national championship teams at Tennessee and was an honorable mention All-American as a senior in 1999.

She inherits a team that returns nine players next season. Nyla Milleson's contract was not renewed after the Lady Bears were 14-17 in 2012-13.