The winningest coach in college basketball history is calling it a career.
Stanford women's basketball head coach Tara VanDerveer is retiring, she announced Tuesday.
“Basketball is the greatest group project in the world, and I am incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported me and my team throughout my coaching career,” VanDerveer said in a statement. . “For nearly 40 years, I have been blessed to mentor some of the brightest minds at some of the world's leading educational institutions.”
Mr. Vanderveer began his 45-year coaching career in 1978 at the University of Idaho. He arrived at Stanford in 1985 after spending five of his seasons at Ohio State and coached the team for 38 of his seasons. With her 1,216 career wins, she leads the all-time wins list for NCAA college basketball coaches. She is three wins behind Connecticut head coach Geno Auriemma with 1,213 wins.
VanDerveer has led Stanford to 14 Final Four appearances and three national championships, the last coming in 2021. Stanford also won 26 Pac-12 regular season championships, 15 Pac-12 Tournament championships and 35 NCAA Tournament appearances.
Follow the madness: NCAA women's basketball scores, schedules, teams, and more.
Despite her success in college, VanDerveer is also known for her success as a coach for the U.S. women's national team. She accepted the head coaching position in 1995 and took her one season off from Stanford University to focus on her national team as a result of preparations for the 1996 Summer Olympics. Featuring players like Lisa Leslie, Katrina McClain and Sheryl Swoopes, the team is considered one of the greatest national teams in women's basketball history. The United States went 52-0 in exhibition games and won the gold medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics with a perfect 8-0 record.
She was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2011.
“My time at Ohio State and Idaho, coupled with my time as the head coach of the U.S. national team, made for an unforgettable experience,” she said. “The joy for me was traveling season after season, watching a group of young women work hard for each other and form an inseparable bond. Victory is a byproduct. “I loved the game of basketball from an early age. And it's given me a lot throughout my life. I hope I can give back at least a little bit.”
Stanford University says Kate Paye, who played under VanDerveer from 1991-95 and has been on her coaching staff for the past 17 seasons, is in talks to replace the legendary coach. .
VanDerveer's press conference is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon, the school said, adding that he will continue to be involved with the university and athletics department in an advisory capacity.