Tara VanDerveer NCAA coaching Record

Tara Ann VanDerveer, born on June 26, 1953, has significantly impacted college basketball. She is one of the most accomplished coaches in NCAA history.

After completing college, VanDerveer wanted to go to law school. However, things took a different turn for her. When she started coaching her sister Marie's basketball team by chance, she found a deep passion for it. Despite some initial challenges, VanDerveer realized she had a knack for coaching and mentoring young athletes.

Coaching Career

VanDerveer's coaching career started as a graduate assistant at Ohio State University. Even though she faced many setbacks, her perseverance led her to take an assistant coaching job at Ohio State. In her first year, she guided the junior varsity team to an 8–0 undefeated season.

After finishing her master's degree at Ohio State, VanDerveer became the head coach at the University of Idaho. Despite the team's earlier hardships, VanDerveer quickly made a positive difference. In her first year, the team achieved a 17–8 record, and the following season, they did even better with an impressive 25–6 record. This success earned them a place in the Division II AIAW tournament.

She returned to Ohio State as head coach in the 1980–81 season, and VanDerveer continued to excel in coaching. She led Ohio State to national recognition, with the team reaching the impressive ranking of number 7 in the 1985 final standings. This achievement was further highlighted by securing a two-seed in the 1985 NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament.

Upon joining Stanford, VanDerveer faced some difficulties, as the team finished with a losing record in her first year. However, she swiftly changed the team's future, guiding Stanford to an impressive record of 27 wins and 5 losses by her third year. Under her guidance, Stanford returned to the NCAA tournament, reaching the Sweet Sixteen in 1988 and receiving invitations to the tournament every year after that during her time as coach.

In December 2020, VanDerveer reached a new coaching milestone by tying and surpassing Pat Summitt's record for most wins in women's college basketball. Her impressive coaching skills were again highlighted in April 2021 when she led the Cardinal to their third NCAA title, ending a 29-year championship drought.

Coaching Record

Throughout her coaching career, Tara VanDerveer has built an impressive track record across different teams and seasons. She started at Idaho Vandals, where she achieved a record of 42 wins and 14 losses overall, with 10 wins and 2 losses in conference games. Moving on to the Ohio State Buckeyes, she led the team to 110 wins and 37 losses, with an exceptional conference record of 55 wins and 5 losses.

She led Stanford to three NCAA Championships and 13 NCAA Regional—Final Four appearances. Her tenure at Stanford has remarkable statistics, including a total record of 900 wins and 192 losses, with 447 wins and 94 losses in conference matches. VanDerveer's coaching excellence has earned her numerous awards, including five National Coach of the Year titles and 11 Pac-10/12 Coach of the Year honors.

Accomplishments and Honors

Tara VanDerveer's coaching career is remarkable, marked by three NCAA Division I Tournament championships and 13 appearances in the NCAA Regional—Final Four. Her teams have been highly successful in the Pac-12 Conference, winning 27 regular-season titles and 15 conference tournament championships. Additionally, she has earned four Big Ten Regular Season championships. VanDerveer's coaching skills have been acknowledged with five National Coach of the Year titles and 11 Pac-10/12 Coach of the Year honors. She has also been honored with the prestigious John R. Wooden Legends of Coaching Award and numerous district and regional coaching accolades.