STANFORD — Kate Paye’s first staff meeting as head coach didn’t get off to a smooth start when she balked at sitting in Hall of Fame coach Tara VanDerveer’s chair.
There are sure to be even bigger challenges when it comes to succeeding the coach with the most wins in college basketball history, but Paye said she’s ready to succeed.
“It was awkward sitting in the chair that Tara normally sits in, but it was the most obvious,” Paye said. “I feel so well prepared for this opportunity. I know Stanford, I love Stanford. I know our players, their parents, their families. I know there are challenges ahead, but I feel totally prepared and ready to get to work.
After 17 seasons as an assistant coach at Stanford, including the last eight as associate head coach, Paye was introduced as the new head of the program during an on-campus news conference Wednesday. VanDerveer, who announced her retirement last week after 38 seasons at the helm of the program, sat in the front row.
Paye said people praised her patience for not leaving for other jobs, but she said it was the only place she always wanted to be.
She was born at Stanford Hospital and her entire immediate family is Stanford graduate. His father and older brother played soccer, and his sister has two college degrees.
Because of this, she said she doesn’t view the head coaching position as a dream job.
“I don’t really think about it like that because I’m so lucky and blessed to be living my dream,” Paye said. “Ever since I was little, I have dreamed of being a part of this program, and I have been able to do so as a player, alumna and coach.”
Paye came on as a freshman for the 1990-91 season and was a two-time captain of a team that won the title in 1992 and reached the Final Four in 1995.
Paye said the rest of the coaching staff is back, with director of player development and former Cardinal great Jeanette Pohlen filling the vacant assistant position. Paye said the team’s style of play will also remain the same, which should help players transition after the departure of VanDerveer, who won 1,216 games, including three NCAA titles.
“Having all of our staff back and knowing me, I hope that sense of continuity provides a tremendous sense of comfort,” Paye said. “Most of them said we knew this would happen and had a feeling it would be the same.”
Paye takes over at a difficult time for Stanford, which must adjust to new NIL rules and players who can transfer without restrictions while transitioning into its first season in the ACC.
The Cardinal also must replace their three best players from last season. Center Cameron Brink (17.4 points, 11.9 rebounds) was selected No. 2 overall by the Los Angeles Sparks in Tuesday’s WNBA draft and Hannah Jump (10.6 points), the leader of all-time record in 3-point shooting, has exhausted his eligibility.
Junior Kiki Iriafen (19.4 points, 11.0 rebounds) entered the transfer portal last week shortly after VanDerveer announced his retirement. She attended VanDerveer’s farewell press conference but was not present during Paye’s introduction and was not mentioned when Paye listed all the players who will be on the team next season .
Iriafen continues the trend of top players leaving Stanford through the portal without being replaced by new upperclassmen — No. 1 overall recruit Lauren Betts transferred to UCLA in 2023. But Paye said that Stanford would continue to work through the traditional recruiting cycle.
“Our roster will never be built through the portal,” Paye said. “Our recruiting pipeline will always go through high schools, finding fantastic student-athletes who value education and can play basketball at a very high level. (The portal) is a tool we can use, but it will never be our mass.
Paye said VanDerveer had considered retiring as early as 2011, but Paye didn’t believe it would happen until she saw the announcement. Although she said Wednesday was an exciting day for her, it was also bittersweet knowing she would no longer be on the bench with VanDerveer.
“I’m going to miss being in that burrow with you every day,” Paye said. “Thank you for everything you have done for me and my family, thank you for everything you have done to prepare me for this opportunity, thank you for entrusting me with your life’s work.”
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