Kara Lawson Reveals Decision on Duke Future

The University of Tennessee women’s basketball team recently parted ways with head coach Kellie Harper on Monday after spending five seasons leading the program. 

The 46-year-old Harper had an impressive run with the Lady Vols, posting a 108-52 record, but couldn’t get her squad past the Sweet 16. With the news of Harper being fired, the idea of Duke head coach Kara Lawson becoming the Lady Vols' next head started to make waves.

Lawson went to the University of Tennessee in the late 90s/early 2000s, where she had the opportunity to play under Hall of Fame head coach Pat Summitt. 

The two-time AP All-American and former first-round pick in the 2003 WNBA Draft has carved out an outstanding lane in coaching as she’s revitalized Duke’s women’s basketball program and got them to the Sweet 16 this season.

While it would be tempting for Lawson to return to her alma mater, where she became a star, she is staying in Durham, NC. Mitchell Northam reported on Friday that Lawson is staying at Duke and didn’t interview with Tennessee.

The 43-year-old Lawson is on the rise in the coaching ranks and has the Blue Devils women's team as one of the best teams in the ACC. The former Vols point guard has a 68-33 record in her four seasons at Duke, which includes two NCAA tournament appearances. 

Nonetheless, if you are a Blue Devils fan, you must be thrilled that Lawson is sticking around as the women’s program could be on the verge of making serious noise in the ACC next season and the years going forward.

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