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

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.