High expectations from Pat Summitt era doomed Kellie Harper at Tennessee

Objectively, Kellie Harper was a good basketball coach for the Tennessee Lady Vols.

With an overall record of 108-52 including 53-24 in SEC games, Harper was undoubtedly successful for Tennessee. Throw in the fact that she was a point guard for the Lady Vols during their NCAA women's national championship three-peat run from 1996 to 1998 and she seemed to be a perfect fit as head coach.

She was no Pat Summitt — but who could be?

The problem? While she has made the NCAA Tournament four out of her five seasons in Rocky Top and the Lady Vols have been in the Sweet 16 in each of the past two seasons, national championships are the expectation for the program that Summitt built.

Harper was never able to get the Vols over the top and, thus, Tennessee is going in a different direction.

"After a thorough review of our women's basketball program, I have informed Kellie we are making a change in leadership," Vice Chancellor/Director of Athletics Danny White wrote in a statement. "Decisions like these are never easy to make, especially with someone who has done so much for the Lady Vols as a three-time national champion student-athlete. Her love and passion for Tennessee and the Lady Vols is second to none. She has invested so much heart and soul into our program and truly has given her all for Tennessee. I thank Kellie for her stewardship of our women's basketball program and wish her and Jon well in the next chapter of their lives."

Tennessee was 20-13 this past season, but lost to NC State in the second round of the women's Big Dance. As mentioned, those types of results aren't okay at Tennessee, which White made clear in his statement.

"I will begin an aggressive search process to find the next leader for our iconic women's basketball program," said White

As far as Harper is concerned, she should have no problem finding a new gig if she desires to coach next season. She just wrapped up her 20th season as a head coach with a career record of 393-260. She's taken nine teams to the NCAA Tournament in those 20 seasons.