Kelly Komara

Associate Head Women’s Basketball Coach
Purdue University

Experience

2023 – Present: Associate Head Coach, Purdue University

2021 – 2023: Assistant Coach, Marquette University

2016 – 2021: Associate Head Coach (18-21)/Assistant Coach, Vanderbilt University

2014 – 2016: Assistant Coach, Purdue University

2012 – 2014: Assistant Coach, University at Albany

2010 – 2012: Assistant Coach, Valparaiso University

2007 – 2010: Video Coordinator, Auburn University

2006 – 2007: Assistant Coach, Northwestern University

2004 – 2006: Graduate Assistant, Auburn University

2002 – 2004: Professional Player, Indiana Fever (WNBA)/Grand Rapids Blizzard (NWBL)

1998 – 2002: Player/Team Captain (01-02), Purdue University

Education

2006: Auburn University, Masters, Higher Education and Sports Management

2002: Purdue University, Bachelors, Physical Education

Personal

Hometown: Schererville, IN

Family: Jenn (Wife) & Hudson, Kennedy (Children)

Career Highlights

In 2024, was named as one of 20 assistant coaches ready to become a Head Coach by The Athletic

Selected to participate in the 2020 WBCA/Women Leaders in College Sports NEXT UP and TopConnect programs

From 2021 to 2023 helped lead Marquette to a 44-22 (.667) overall and 26-14 (.650) Big East Conference record, two 21+ win seasons, and two postseason berths (one NCAA Tournament), as well as well as the first win over UConn in program history

Marquette’s scoring defense finished ranked 1st in the Big East Conference in 2022-23

Helped Vanderbilt sign three recruiting classes (2019, 2018, 2017) that ranked in the top-20 nationally

In 2015-16, assisted Purdue to 20 overall and 10 Big Ten Conference wins, as well as an NCAA Tournament berth

Helped Purdue sign a 2015 recruiting class that ranked 9th nationally

From 2012 to 2014, helped lead Albany to a 55-9 (.859) overall and 32-1 (.970) America East Conference record, two 27+ win seasons, two America East Conference Regular Season Championships, two America East Conference Tournament Championships, and two NCAA Tournament berths

From 2007 to 2011, assisted Auburn to two 20+ win seasons, one SEC Regular Season Championship, and three post-season berths (two NCAA Tournaments)

As a Division I Assistant Coach, has recruited and coached 39 all-conference team selections, as well as two Players of the Year, one one Defensive Player of the Year, and two Freshman/Rookies of the Year

1998 Indiana Miss Basketball and 2023 Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame Silver Anniversary Team honoree, helped lead Purdue to the 1998-99 National Championship

2001-02 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and a three-time Big Ten All-Conference selection, helped lead Purdue to three Big Ten Conference Regular Season Championships, two Big Ten Conference Tournament Championships, and four NCAA Tournament berths (two National Championship game appearances)