Kelly Rae Finley is in her first season as an assistant women's basketball coach as she was hired by head coach Linda Lappe on May 18, 2012. She serves as Colorado's recruiting coordinator and also coaches the Buffaloes' forwards.

Finley, 27, joins Colorado after spending four years on the staff at Harvard University (2008-12); the last three as a full-time assistant coach. The Crimson posted a 75-41 mark in her four seasons in Cambridge including four second place Ivy League finishes - a record of 42-14 -  and three Postseason WNIT appearances.

At Harvard, Finley was the recruiting coordinator, signing a class in 2011 that was ranked 31st in the nation by ESPN including the Ivy League's first McDonald's All-American in Temi Fagbenle. She coached 12 All-Ivy League players and coordinated player development with an emphasis on the forward position.

Off the court Finley was Harvard women's basketball's liaison for equipment management, community outreach coordinator and was an active participant at alumni events. She was a Harvard Faculty Affiliate with the Leverett House, an upperclass dorm. Finley also continued her education with graduate studies in organizational leadership & non-profit management through the Harvard University Extension School.

Finley graduated cum laude from Colorado State University in 2008 with her bachelor's degree in human development and family studies. She was a two-year letterwinner for the Rams and was a Mountain West Conference Scholar-Athlete Award winner in 2008. She played one year for Lappe, who was a CSU assistant in 2006-07. Finley began her collegiate career at Northwestern University where she lettered in 2004-05.

She was involved with Boys and Girls Clubs of Fort Collins and Chicago as well as a representative on the Student Athletic Advisory Committee and a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA).

A native of Minneapolis, Finley was a three-year team captain for The Breck School, helping her team to a Minnesota Class 2A State Championship in 2004, runner-up finish in 2003 and a third-place showing in 2002. Her AAU team, the Minnesota Metro Stars won the Nike Showcase championship in Chicago in 2003.

Finley began her coaching career in her native state, as an assistant with her former AAU team from 2005-07.  She coached the 12U, 13U and 16U teams, developing game schemes and practice plans while assisting with tournament organization and coordination. Finley also served as the MN Hardball basketball camp director from 2007-08, engaged in all aspects of the organization's functions.