Stanford Formally Names Kate Paye Women's Basketball Coach After Tara VanDerveer's Retirement

The former Cardinal guard is tasked with succeeding a legend.

Dec 18, 2022; Stanford, California, USA; Stanford Cardinal associate head coach Kate Paye. / Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

Stanford has officially found its replacement for legendary coach Tara VanDerveer.

The Cardinal are hiring associate head coach Kate Paye as their head coach, they announced in a Tuesday afternoon press release.

“Stanford University has been a central part of my life for as long as I can remember and I am humbled to have the opportunity to lead its women’s basketball program,” Paye said in the university's statement. “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."

Paye played under VanDerveer from 1992 to '95, winning a national title as a freshman guard in '92. The ex-WNBA player has been a fixture of Stanford's coaching staff since the 2008 season.

VanDerveer, the winningest head coach in the history of college basketball and a three-time national champion, announced her retirement on April 9. The Cardinal are set to join the ACC next season.