Sitting in a Las Vegas hotel last October, surrounded by Pac-12 signage that was on its way to becoming memorabilia of a bygone era, Tara VanDerveer peered into the future.
“I want to have a great year this year, and then just say, ‘Alright, hey, I’m up for this next challenge,'” VanDerveer said at the final Pac-12 media day. “Or say, ‘Well, maybe not.’ I’ll know that.”
Now, we all know.
She made her decision public Tuesday night: VanDerveer is retiring after 45 seasons in college coaching, the last 38 at Stanford.
She leaves with 1,216 career victories, more than any men’s or women’s coach in NCAA history. She won three NCAA titles, the last coming 29 years after the second, a testament both to her longevity and ability to evolve with the game. And she steps away after holding down an entire coast for her sport for generations, lifting up her peers to help build the Pac-12 into the nation’s top conference this past season.
As much as fans might miss VanDerveer, basketball will miss her more. VanDerveer was the consummate…
