Stanford's Tara VanDerveer becomes winningest college basketball coach

Field Level Media|published: Sun 21st January, 20:15 2024

Jan 21, 2024; Stanford, California, USA; Stanford Cardinal head coach Tara VanDerveer addresses the crowd at Maples Pavilion following her record-setting 1,203rd collegiate coaching victory, a 65-56 win over the Oregon State Beavers. credits: D. Ross Cameron-USA TODAY Sports

Stanford's Tara VanDerveer became the winningest coach in college basketball history when the eighth-ranked Cardinal beat the visiting Oregon State Beavers 65-56 on Sunday.

VanDerveer, 70, earned her 1,203rd victory and passed former Duke men's basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski, who previously held the record.

VanDerveer, who is in her 38th season coaching Stanford, praised her team — including junior Kiki Iriafen, who scored 36 points, after the historic win.

"I just love how our team battled," VanDerveer told Pac-12 Network reporter Ashley Adamson after the game. "How about Kiki?!"

VanDerveer, who guided Stanford to national titles in 1990, 1992 and 2021, has an overall record of 1,203-267. She is 1,051-216 at Stanford, 110-37 during her five seasons at Ohio State and 42-14 in two years at Idaho.

VanDerveer was honored during a postgame ceremony that included a video tribute. Tennis great Billie Jean King, Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr, Krzyzewski and former players Lisa Leslie and Chiney Ogwumike were among those who congratulated the 2011 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductee.

"It's really special to win the game and have you all here and celebrate," VanDerveer said.

—Field Level Media