'I Hit a Grand Slam': Kellie Harper Building Impressive Staff at Mizzou

With Harper's new coaching staff comes a wide variety of different skill sets that they provide. Everywhere from recruiting to chemistry-building are important skills and bases that Harper's circle will have to cover, which is never easy when you're starting from scratch.

Knowing what her three new assistants bring to the table is a positive start for Harper's Missouri tenure since she can hand them the reigns to do what needs to be done on multiple fronts right away. She fully trusts their ability to recruit, build relationships and coach on the sidelines.

“They are all very good on [the] court, they're all very good in the office, and they're very good recruiters,” Harper said. “And so it was a no-brainer.”

Not only does Harper trust her new staff additions, but she also believes in them. She's seen her new coaches, to an extent, do the job at a high level. With that trust and belief, the new face of the Missouri Tigers sideline and her team can construct a plan for their players, new and old, to guide their success.

“My staff is incredible, incredible at player development, so we're going to have a holistic plan, strength, nutrition, just everything to help them be their best,” Harper said. 

Even if her staff isn't complete, Harper now has familiar faces surrounding her to make her more comfortable when starting to build and coach her team. She also trusts them to do their job because of the years of experience they have with each other.

Starting a new coaching gig is never easy, especially in a foreign location surrounded by fans, players and organization members that are unfamiliar. Bringing in people Harper is comfortable with, like Sullivan, Kostas and Fruendt, is an important step toward making her feel at home.

“I hit a Grand Slam with my staff, and that's who I wanted, those three sitting right there,” Harper said. “That's who I wanted with me on this journey."