University of Missouri women’s basketball head coach Kellie Harper has hired Todd Schaefer to her staff as an assistant coach, the program announced Tuesday.
A veteran in the coaching realm with 29 years of experience, Schaefer joins Missouri following eight years at Arkansas. After spending three years as an assistant coach, his impact on the Razorbacks’ program earned him a promotion to associate head coach in 2019.
“I am so excited to bring Todd and his family into our Missouri family,” Harper said. “Todd is an experienced coach and recruiter and is very familiar with the SEC. He has worked with and developed multiple WNBA players and our student-athletes will love his creativity and energy on the court.”
Schaefer helped guide Arkansas to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances and five straight postseason berths.
On three occasions, Schaefer helped the Razorbacks achieve 20+ win seasons. In 2018-19, he directed the team 10 wins against SEC opponents.
Known for his ability to develop talent, he coached athletes to five All-American honors, seven all-conference honors, four all-freshman recognition and a freshman of the year award.
Schaefer was integral in the progression of Chelsea Dungee’s play as she became the fifth overall pick in the 2021 WNBA draft to the Dallas Wings.
Schaefer oversaw many aspects Arkansas program including scouting, recruiting, scheduling and administration.
Before his tenure with the Razorbacks, he spent three seasons at Ole Miss from 2013-16.
Schaefer spent the 2012-13 season at Washington where he helped shape two time WNBA champion and three time WNBA all star Kelsey Plum, who finished her career as the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer.
Previous to his time with the Huskies, Schaefer served as an assistant coach at Arkansas State. He worked with the Red Wolves’ perimeter players, opponent scouting and video.
He directed the program’s preseason and post-season conditioning programs and assisted with the academic progress of the Arkansas State players.
A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Schaefer came to the Red Wolves after serving the two seasons (2009-11) as the head coach at Greenbrier (Ark.) High School.
Before coaching at Greenbrier, Schaefer was an assistant coach at Cincinnati from 2007-09, where he coordinated the Bearcat offense and served as the director of opponent scouting, among other duties.
Prior to his time at Cincinnati, he spent three seasons at Arkansas Tech, including two as head coach during the 2005-07 seasons. While head coach at Arkansas Tech, he led the Golden Suns to a road victory over the top-ranked team in Division II basketball and a berth in the 2007 NCAA Division II Regional Tournament.
Previous to his tenure at Arkansas Tech, he served as head coach at Christian Brothers University in Memphis, Tenn. from 1999-2004. In his first season at Christian Brothers, he led the Lady Buccaneers to their first-ever berth in the Gulf South Conference Tournament. Four years later, Schaefer directed Christian Brothers to the GSC West Division title and to the NCAA South Regional Tournament for the first time in school history.
Before coaching at Christian Brothers, he spent two seasons as head coach at Allen County Community College and two seasons as an assistant at Western Illinois.
Schaefer earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in English at Thomas More College in 1995 while working as a student assistant basketball coach and playing on the football team. He and his wife, Lisa, have three sons, Landon, Will and Jake.
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