Stanford's Tara VanDerveer passes Pat Summitt as winningest Division I women’s college basketball coach

Stanford women's basketball coach Tara VanDerveer slipped on the large black fleece pullover her team gave her with the seldom-used nickname "T-Dawg" scripted across the back.

Of course, the T stands for Tara, but on Tuesday it could have another meaning: as in "Top Dawg". 

Earlier, VanDerveer stood on the sideline of a nearly empty gym. There were other players, coaches, officials and arena staff. But there were no fans cheering at Alex G. Spanos Center, Stockton, as No. 1 Stanford defeated the University of the Pacific 104-61 and VanDerveer became the all-time winningest coach in women's college basketball.

VanDerveer's 1,099 wins eclipsed by one legendary Tennessee coach Pat Summit.

"This is special because of I think the magnitude of that many wins," VanDerveer said. "I never thought, 'Well, I am going to try to win 1,000 games.', or anything like that. This is special. Having currently the No. 1 team. Being undefeated. Playing in a pandemic. I will never forget this, for sure."

There have been many memorable achievements in VanDerveer's 42-year career.

She has won two NCAA National Championships at Stanford. She has been named National Coach of the year four times. She has been the Pac-12 Coach of the year 15 times.

Now she is the winningest coach in men's and women's college basketball history.

The Cardinal outscored Pacific by 32 points in the second half, after the Tigers shot 40% from the field to keep within single digits throughout most of the first half. 

Pacific seniors Brooklyn McDavid and Lianna Tillman combined for 27 points, but Lexi Hull (17 points) and Kiana Williams (14 points) were too much for the Tigers.

The Cardinal's lead grew to as much as 32 points in the third quarter.

VanDerveer's coaching career began with two seasons at Idaho (1978-80), then five at Ohio State, before arriving at Stanford in 1985. Since then she is credited for 947 of Stanford's 1,123 wins since becoming a varsity program in 1975, and has taken the Cardinal to 31 NCAA Tournaments and 12 Final Fours.

VanDerveer, who tied Summitt after the Cardinal's 83-38 victory over Cal, on Dec. 15, holds the third-best win percentage in women's college basketball history, and has more wins than 344 of the NCAA's 351 D-1 programs. 

"I do think back about all the different players I have coached," VanDerveer said. "I just want to thank every player I have coached. Every administrator I have worked for. Assistant coach that I have worked with. Trainers. Everyone has just made this a great ride."