STANFORD, Calif. — Coach K, Stanford's Tara VanDerveer, is the newest winningest basketball coach in NCAA history.
The Stanford women's basketball team defeated Oregon State 65-56 at Maples Pavilion on Sunday, giving VanDerVeer her 1,203rd career victory, passing former Duke men's coach Mike Krzyzewski for the record since 2019.
“This is a tremendous achievement for Tara VanDerveer, who is already one of the most accomplished coaches in basketball history. It's another milestone to add to an impressive legacy,” Krzyzewski said in a statement. “More important than all the impressive numbers and career accomplishments, she has positively impacted countless lives as a coach and mentor. Tara is a true custodian of our sport.”
Playing without star forward Cameron Brink, who suffered a knee injury in Friday's win over Oregon, the Cardinal (17-2, 6-1 Pac-12) put aside a slow start and ensured Vanderveer would break the record. Meeting at home.
About 30 of VanDerveer's former players — Jayne Appel, Jennifer Azzi, Rose Gold-Onwood and Cindy Okwumik — joined the 7,022 fans to celebrate the feat. Former Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck was also on hand.
After trailing 29-28 early in the third quarter, Stanford ended the quarter on a 22-14 run to take control in the fourth quarter. Oregon State (15-3, 4-3) hasn't been a serious threat in other ways.
Junior Kiki Iriafen had a dominant performance for the Cardinal, finishing with 36 points and 12 rebounds, while Talana Lebolo added 14 points.
VanDerVeer, 70, is in his 38th season at the farm after being the head coach at Idaho (1978-80) and Ohio State (1980-1985). The five-time National Coach of the Year led Stanford to three national titles (1990, 1992, 2021), 14 Final Four appearances, 25 Pac-12 regular-season titles and 34 trips to the NCAA Tournament.
A 2011 inductee into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, VanDerveer has amassed more than 355 victories over 360 NCAA Division I women's programs.
In 1996, VanDerVeer took a year off from coaching the U.S. Women's National Team at Stanford to a gold medal at the Atlanta Olympics, which paved the way for the WNBA's launch in 1997.
He has coached two Naismith Player of the Year winners, 36 first-team All-Americans and 19 Pac-12 Players of the Year, while 40 of his players have gone on to play for USA Basketball.
It remains to be seen how long VanDerveer will hold this record. UConn women's coach Geno Auriemma, 69, is the third-winningest NCAA basketball coach, trailing her by seven wins (1,196). The one who ends up with the feat will come down to which of the two will train the longest.
“Friend of animals everywhere. Devoted analyst. Total alcohol scholar. Infuriatingly humble food trailblazer.”