Tara VanDerveer sets college basketball record with 1,203rd coaching win

Tara VanDerveer became the all-time winningest coach in college basketball history on Sunday, passing former Duke and Army coach Mike Krzyzewski with her 1,203rd career win as Stanford defeated Oregon State 65-56.

At age 70, and head coach since her 24th, VanDerveer celebrated on her team’s home floor at Maples Pavilion, with former players on hand to cheer on the Hall of Fame coach for yet another milestone in a decorated 45-year-old career full of memorable achievements.

Fans chanted “Tara! Tara!” in the final seconds before the party started.

“This is a tremendous achievement for Tara VanDerveer, who is already one of the most talented coaches in basketball history,” Krzyzewski said in a statement. “This is another milestone to add to a great legacy. More important than all the amazing numbers and career achievements is that she has positively impacted countless lives as a coach and mentor. Tara remains a true guardian of our sport.”

It was tense at times, with VanDerveer standing with his arms crossed and pacing the sidelines while Kiki Iriafen and her supporting cast made the big plays when it mattered most.

VanDerveer improved to 1,203-267 overall and 1,051-216 over 38 seasons at Stanford. A 17-time Pac-12 Coach of the Year with five national Coach of the Year awards, VanDerveer captured three NCAA titles with Stanford – in 1990, 1992 and 2021 – and coached the 1996 U.S. Olympic team to a gold medal in Atlanta . Games during a year away from Stanford.

Iriafen contributed a career-high 36 points on 16-for-26 shooting and 11 rebounds and Talana Lepolo 14 points and six assists for the Cardinal (17-2, 6-1 Pac-12). The match drew a crowd of nearly 7,022 people in the Maples Pavilion, which seats 7,233 people.

Stanford led 28-22 at halftime after shooting just 12 of 34, but pulled ahead in the second half as former star players like Jennifer Azzi, Chiney Ogwumike, Ros Gold-Onwude and Jayne Appel-Marinelli were among those in attendance . with former US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice supporting the beloved coach.

“I’ve always loved that she tells them to fight, just keep fighting. But she also cares about the complete student-athlete. And that’s the great thing about Tara,” Rice said. “She’s a basketball professor.”

VanDerveer received warm ovations at every opportunity, from the moment she walked onto the court during pre-game warmups and again for introductions.