Kelly Komara enters her fifth season on the Vanderbilt women’s basketball staff in 2020-21. Komara, a college teammate of head coach Stephanie White, joined the Vanderbilt staff soon after White was hired in June of 2016.
Komara, who works with Vanderbilt’s guards, helped Chelsie Hall to a spot on the SEC All-Freshman team in 2017-18. Last season, Jordyn Cambridge led the league in steals and earned SEC All-Defensive team honors.
In 2019-20, Komara oversaw the first Commodore duo to post more than 100 assists apiece in nearly a decade. Hall led the team with 117 assists, while Cambridge became the first Vanderbilt player with 100+ assists (105) and 80+ steals (85) in a season since Jade Huntington in 1989-90.
“Kelly’s love and passion for the game and helping young people reach their potential is infectious. We have a long history together and one of the things I’ve always admired is her incredible work ethic and drive to be the best. She’s a terrific member of our staff and we look forward to getting to work.”
– Vanderbilt Head Coach Stephanie White
Coaching History
Prior to Vanderbilt, Komara had a two-year stint as an assistant coach at the University of Albany. While there, her duties included scheduling the team’s games, serving as the team’s strength, conditioning and nutrition liaison, working on scouting reports and assisting with recruiting and game preparation.
Komara has also worked at Valparaiso, Auburn and Northwestern in a variety of roles.
Playing Career
In 2002, she was drafted in the WNBA third round by the Indiana Fever and played professionally for the Grand Rapids Blizzards in the National Women’s Basketball League. Komara also played professionally for Panathinaikos Basketball club in Athens, Greece.
Komara graduated as one of seven players in Purdue history to have at least 1,000 points, 400 assists and 200 steals in their career. She was the most outstanding player for the 2001 NCAA Mideast Regional and earned Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2002. A three-time All-Big Ten honoree, Komara was a first-team selection in 2002 and earned honorable mention recognition as a sophomore and junior. She was also granted the prestigious Mackey Award and Varsity Walk Award as a senior by the Purdue administration.
Komara finished as Purdue’s all-time leader in single-season steals with 120 in 2002. She also ranked No. 12 on Purdue’s all-time scoring list (1,266 career points), No. 3 in career steals (297), No. 5 in career made threes (137), and No. 8 in career assists (402) at the time of her graduation.
A native of Schererville, Indiana, and standout at Lake Central High, Komara was named Indiana’s Miss Basketball after averaging 21.5 points per game as a senior.
Education
Komara earned her bachelor’s degree in physical education from Purdue University in 2002. She went on to receive her master’s degree in higher education and sports management from Auburn in 2006.
Family
Komara and her wife, Jenn, have two children, Kennedy and Hudson.
The Komara File
• Associate Head Coach, Vanderbilt, (2018-current)
• Assistant, Vanderbilt (2016-18)
• Assistant, Purdue (2014-16)
• Assistant, Albany (2012-14)
• Assistant, Valparaiso (2010-12)
• Video Coordinator, Auburn (2007-10)
• Assistant, Northwestern (2006-07)
• Graduate Assistant, Auburn (2004-06)
• Won 1999 NCAA national championship at Purdue
• 2002 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year
• Three-time All-Big Ten selection
• Purdue’s single-season leader in steals with 1230 steals in 2002
• Indiana’s Miss Basketball (1998)