The new winningest coach in college basketball history got start at University of Idaho

Stanford women’s basketball coach Tara VanDerveer earned her 1,203rd career victory Sunday when the No. 6 Cardinal defeated Oregon State 65-56 at Maples Pavilion in Stanford, California.

That victory made her the winningest coach in college basketball history, surpassing former Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski for the honor. What might be less familiar to some is that a little chunk of VanDerveer’s victories came at the University of Idaho.

“This is a tremendous accomplishment for Tara VanDerveer, who is already one of the most accomplished coaches in the history of basketball,” Krzyzewski said in a statement. “This is yet another milestone to add to an amazing legacy. More important than all the astounding numbers and career accomplishments, she’s positively impacted countless lives as a coach and a mentor. Tara remains a true guardian of our sport.”

VanDerveer’s first career win came as the head coach at Idaho. She led the Vandals for two seasons — 1978-79 and 1979-80 — compiling an overall record of 42-14.

Victory No. 1 came on Dec. 1, 1978, when the Vandals prevailed over Montana State-Northern, which was then known as Northern Montana College, 70-68 in overtime.

Idaho finished 17-8 in VanDerveer’s first season — and the program’s fifth overall. The next year the Vandals joined the Northwest Empire league, going 25-6 overall and 10-2 in league action, with an appearance in the AIAW Division II Nationals. VanDerveer then spent five seasons at Ohio State before taking over at Stanford in 1985-86.

With more than 40 years of college coaching under her belt, VanDerveer’s resume includes three NCAA titles, 14 Final Four appearances, 25 Pac-12 championships, 37 NCAA Tournament appearances, 98 tournament wins, 28 WBCA All-America honors and 15 Pac-12 Tournament titles.

She is a five-time national coach of the year and a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

“I want to bring attention to the beauty of women’s basketball and the wonderfulness of these players that work so hard,” VanDerveer told GoStanford.com. “I’m so jealous because I never got to do what they get to do, and I’m able to watch a little girl’s dream play out through them.”