"Stanford is playing way too safe": College hoops world reacts to Kate Paye being named Tara VanDerveer's replacement for 2024 season 

Fans expressed a range of emotions as Stanford announced that associate head coach Kate Paye will be the women's basketball program's new head coach. She'll replace veteran Tara VanDerveer, who announced her retirement on Apr. 9.

Paye has a long association with the outgoing coach, having played under her in 1992 as a freshman when they won the national title for Stanford. She stayed at Stanford for three years as a player before she had assistant and associate coaching stints with different teams.

She joined Stanford again in 2007 and served under Tara again for 17 years. VanDerveer, a three-time national champion, stayed at Stanford for 38 seasons. Fans reacted variedly to the official appointment of the new coach.

While some questioned the long wait, others thought the 'better late than never' decision would work well for the program.

Seriously?! After 17 years, that's the best choice? Seems like Stanford is playing it way too safe.

Kate Paye taking over at Stanford, huh? I guess it's time for the rest of the Pac-12 to start getting nervous!

I guess Stanford women's basketball team will be paying their opponents some serious Kate Paye after this announcement!

Others took joy in finding comparisons for the new coach of the Cardinal.

"Is that the lady from Nurse Jackie?" one fan wrote.

"Carmela Soprano?" another wrote.

"She look like Sue Sylvester," another posted.

The chemistry between Kate Paye and Tara VanDerveer

Kate Paye graduated in 1995 from Stanford with a Bachelor's in Political Science, where she found her lifelong mentor. The 50-year-old expressed humility and gratitude as she stepped into the shoes of Tara, whom she had known for over three decades.

“I’d first like to thank Tara, who has played such a pivotal role in my career, for her friendship and guidance. It’s not what she’s done, but how she’s done it, that has had such a profound impact upon me."

As Kate Paye embraced something new, she bid goodbye to something old and precious. Expressing the mixed emotions, Kate said:

"It's kind of been one of those moments in your life where you're so excited and you're so sad all at once."

What do you think about Paye donning the new role at Stanford? Let us know in the comments.