Stanford’s Tara VanDerveer, NCAA’s all-time winningest basketball coach, retires

Stanford ladies’s basketball head coach Tara VanDerveer, the winningest coach in NCAA historical past, introduced her retirement Tuesday after 38 seasons with the workforce.

VanDerveer made historical past in January when she recorded her 1,203 victory in opposition to Oregon State at Maples Pavilion. The win pushed her previous the file set by former Duke and Military coach Mike Krzyzewski.

Her file at the moment stands at 1,216 wins after 45 years as a head coach at Idaho (1978-80), Ohio State (1980-85) and Stanford (1985-95, 1996-2024). She led Stanford to a few NCAA championships and 14 Last 4 appearances and was a 17-time Pac-12 Coach of the Yr together with 5 nationwide Coach of the Yr honors. VanDerveer additionally coached the 1996 U.S. Olympic workforce to a gold medal on the Atlanta Video games throughout a yr away from Stanford.  

“Basketball is the best group mission there may be and I’m so extremely grateful for each one who has supported me and our groups all through my teaching profession,” stated VanDerveer in a ready assertion. “I have been spoiled to educate the perfect and brightest at one of many world’s foremost establishments for practically 4 many years. Coupled with my time at Ohio State and Idaho, and as head coach of the USA Nationwide Workforce, it has been an unforgettable experience. The enjoyment for me was within the journey of every season, seeing a bunch of younger ladies work laborious for one another and kind an unbreakable bond. Successful was a byproduct. I’ve liked the sport of basketball since I used to be a bit woman, and it has given me a lot all through my life. I hope I have been in a position to give a minimum of a bit bit again.”  

The college stated it’s in negotiations with Kate Paye to succeed VanDerveer. Paye as soon as performed beneath VanDerveer within the 90s, and she or he has been part of her workers for practically 20 years.

“Tara’s title is synonymous with the game and ladies’s basketball wouldn’t be what it’s at present with out her pioneering work,” stated Stanford athletic director Bernard Muir. “Tara’s affect is just unmatched, and I do not suppose it is a stretch to characterize her as probably the most influential individuals to ever be related to this college.”

VanDerveer will stay at Stanford and the athletics division and can take part in an advisory capability. She spoke about her retirement and took questions from Bay Space sports activities media Wednesday afternoon.

Following her announcement, VanDerveer acquired a wave of accolades from throughout the sports activities spectrum, together with from tennis nice and social justice champion Billie Jean King.

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr gave his ideas on VanDerveer’s retirement following Tuesday evening’s win over the Los Angeles Lakers.

“I like Tara. She’s wonderful. We have related fairly a bit. She’s come to our practices. I’ve seen her down on campus. I’ve a lot respect and admiration for her and my preliminary response is, I’m thrilled for her,” stated Kerr. “She will go water-ski. She likes to water-ski, I do know. So, congrats Tara on a tremendous profession.”  

“Clearly, it is a monumental day in ladies’s basketball, and in basketball on the whole,” stated UConn ladies’s basketball head coach Geno Auriemma. “Whenever you’ve coached for this prolonged time frame and you have achieved what Tara’s achieved, it has an unbelievable impact on the basketball group. The variety of wins, the nationwide championships, the Corridor of Fame. She’s had an unbelievable profession and she or he’s left a fantastic affect on the game. It has been thrilling to compete in opposition to her all these years. Congratulations to Tara, and I am certain she’ll benefit from the subsequent part of her life.”