WBB news - Printable Version
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RE: WBB news - jacket3ree - 04-15-2026
brobdingnagian legacy and who knows what might have happened here, but if there is a coaching search should VanDerveer be part of it given how her hand-picked successor turned out? Feels the program needs a complete restart and why not if they only have two or three holdover players? Someone mentioned it is band aid ripping time because of the mass exodus. I'm also curious about statements made here that a bunch of promised NIL money was collected but not dispersed. If you are going to do that, might as well shutter the whole thing.
The fact that she is still coach three weeks after the season ended with nothing beyond pay site tweets and Reddit discussions wondering about when the announcement of her firing is, tells me she's back next year and/or the AD is a little dysfunctional. Portal is open. Tennessee's AD just said Caldwell has their program headed in the right direction. Unless the proverbial kiss of death, that seems to signal Caldwell is in charge at least another year. In the portal era, people (prospective talent, not us) really need to know. Tennessee is picking up portal talent (including a Stanford refugee) and Stanford isn't. Hard to keep all that on the QT. (I suppose if something is going down, kudos for running a leak proof ship.)
Maybe it is as simple as someone has to pay for four decades of easy living with some "hard" times. And for Stanford, hard times mean .561 ball.
P.S. when did the board software put H.U.G.E. on steroids? And has anyone seen Teejers the past half-decade? Hope he's OK. At least better than Stanford's lilliputian chances of going to a Final Four in the next half-decade.....
RE: WBB news - Lorcan - 04-15-2026
We lost out on a transfer target - Ryann Bennett of UC Davis went to Southern Cal over Stanford.
RE: WBB news - PVTree - 04-15-2026
Is Tara's sister a good coach?
I think the ship has sailed for a coaching change this year. All the portalettes have committed elsewhere. The ones that haven't gone in the portal appear to be ok with another year of KP.
Fire her now, and the remaining players may also enter the portal while we won't get back any of the ones that have committed elsewhere.
Higher ups now have that excuse to not make a change, which like many, I didn't think would happen in the first place.
RE: WBB news - KartyFan - 04-15-2026
For those asking for a statement, I am sure the AD doesn't want to shine a light on this when it really has not been picked up broadly. To most outside this board, including Stanford fans, the allegations don't exist and it's just an unfortunate loss of players to the portal, a known problem for Stanford. Announcing that we take allegations seriously or are concerned about the loss of players brings attention to it and, in my opinion, doesn't do much to stop players from transferring out.
I haven't paid for access to the insider info and therefore don't feel informed enough to have an opinion on what the AD should do at this point. But I do empathize with the challenge of showing that this is a priority without calling more attention to it.
RE: WBB news - Card10Fan - 04-15-2026
(04-15-2026, 08:09 PM)KartyFan Wrote: For those asking for a statement, I am sure the AD doesn't want to shine a light on this when it really has not been picked up broadly. To most outside this board, including Stanford fans, the allegations don't exist and it's just an unfortunate loss of players to the portal, a known problem for Stanford. Announcing that we take allegations seriously or are concerned about the loss of players brings attention to it and, in my opinion, doesn't do much to stop players from transferring out.
I haven't paid for access to the insider info and therefore don't feel informed enough to have an opinion on what the AD should do at this point. But I do empathize with the challenge of showing that this is a priority without calling more attention to it.
AD emailed many of us last Friday and said there would be more shared publicly this week on WBB program concerns and so far nothing.
RE: WBB news - jacket3ree - 04-15-2026
There's still hope. I heard somewhere that Thursdays are very popular days for news releases. Unless released on other days of the week. I don't know. How formulaic were those emails if anyone cares to share?
An announcement might be along the lines of 'we are disappointed to lose so many players to the transfer portal but are redoubling our efforts to build a championship caliber team worthy of our program's heritage, yada, and yada.'
WBB - North Sonoma Coast - 04-16-2026
When Stanford chose Kate to replace Tara, my wife and I supported the choice. We assumed that Tara would pick an excellent successor, that Kate years earlier had been promised the position when she had received other head coach offers, that Kate had helped choose and recruit the outstanding freshman class, that Kate knew how to cope with Stanford's administrators, especially admissions, and parents, that Kate had a good rapport with the players, and that she knew how to coach.
We did think Kate did not have a terrific public persona. Twice at pregame chalk talks we had seen her snap at fans' asking perfectly reasonable questions. She in games seemed to scowl more than smile. Often we noticed that Tara did not turn to her for strategy at intense game moments. As 2025-26 progressed we lost confidence in her inconsistent offense, her snap substitutions, and her forced post game interviews. The "Sisterhood" seemed neither spontaneous nor warm, except, ironically, when Lara spoke post game about her love for Stanford. We assumed if Kate drove one good player out of town, questions instantly should have been asked. She drove seven.
If John Donahoe wants to torch a year, wants to save a few bucks, and refuses to hire a new coach who might stop the bleeding, we have an alternative, possibly interesting, solution. Our anecdotal impression is that the players liked Kate and Tempie far less than Heather and Katy, and Heather was the one diagramming plays in many tense moments.
So, we should terminate Kate and Tempie, not hire anyone new, and see what the year reveals, with either Heather or Katy as interim coach. With this approach, Donahoe saves his beloved bucks, Katy and Heather can tell potential recruits the Stanford crew is still experienced but different in tone, and the players can somewhat relax and play with the enthusiasm of a team that can only do better than our rock bottom expectations.
We have to add one personal note about Tara. We always, in contrast to Ben, arrive early, at least thirty minutes before game time. Once, in Tara's last year, from our seats well above the bench, we happened to notice Tara quickly moving up into the stands to help an elderly woman navigate through the rows to the safety of her seat. Tara's random act of kindness was not performative but instinctual. Only a few of us could have noticed. She may have been a tough, rigorous coach but her decades of players, with four or five exceptions, knew that she loved and cared for them.
To be admittedly cruel, we postulate that Kate would seem to want to be Tara, but was Tara without the reputation, the basketball acumen, and the personal warmth. Two years ago , Stanford needed an experienced WBB alumna who would not attempt to replicate Tara but cut a new path. (Yes, perhaps Lindy) This year, we need to acknowledge that losing six fine players warrants some modicum of change. We've got two coaches the players like, under contract. Choose one for an interim year that may turn out to be for many years.
Acting publicly, if not privately, without his making any coaching changes, as though all is well, when it obviously isn't, Donahoe will be subjecting both players and fans to a brutal 2026-27 losing year, with no ACC victories in sight, is unconscionable.
RE: WBB - crackpot - 04-16-2026
(04-16-2026, 10:45 AM)North Sonoma Coast Wrote: When Stanford chose Kate to replace Tara, my wife and I supported the choice. We assumed that Tara would pick an excellent successor, that Kate years earlier had been promised the position when she had received other head coach offers, that Kate had helped choose and recruit the outstanding freshman class, that Kate knew how to cope with Stanford's administrators, especially admissions, and parents, that Kate had a good rapport with the players, and that she knew how to coach.
We did think Kate did not have a terrific public persona. Twice at pregame chalk talks we had seen her snap at fans' asking perfectly reasonable questions. She in games seemed to scowl more than smile. Often we noticed that Tara did not turn to her for strategy at intense game moments. As 2025-26 progressed we lost confidence in her inconsistent offense, her snap substitutions, and her forced post game interviews. The "Sisterhood" seemed neither spontaneous nor warm, except, ironically, when Lara spoke post game about her love for Stanford. We assumed if Kate drove one good player out of town, questions instantly should have been asked. She drove seven.
If John Donahoe wants to torch a year, wants to save a few bucks, and refuses to hire a new coach who might stop the bleeding, we have an alternative, possibly interesting, solution. Our anecdotal impression is that the players liked Kate and Tempie far less than Heather and Katy, and Heather was the one diagramming plays in many tense moments.
So, we should terminate Kate and Tempie, not hire anyone new, and see what the year reveals, with either Heather or Katy as interim coach. With this approach, Donahoe saves his beloved bucks, Katy and Heather can tell potential recruits the Stanford crew is still experienced but different in tone, and the players can somewhat relax and play with the enthusiasm of a team that can only do better than our rock bottom expectations.
We have to add one personal note about Tara. We always, in contrast to Ben, arrive early, at least thirty minutes before game time. Once, in Tara's last year, from our seats well above the bench, we happened to notice Tara quickly moving up into the stands to help an elderly woman navigate through the rows to the safety of her seat. Tara's random act of kindness was not performative but instinctual. Only a few of us could have noticed. She may have been a tough, rigorous coach but her decades of players, with four or five exceptions, knew that she loved and cared for them.
To be admittedly cruel, Kate would seem to want to be, but was Tara without the reputation, the basketball acumen, and the personal warmth. Two years ago , Stanford needed an experienced WBB alumna who would not attempt to replicate Tara but cut a new path. (Yes, perhaps Lindy) This year, we need to acknowledge that losing six fine players warrants some modicum of change. We've got two coaches the players like, under contract. Choose one for an interim year that may turn out to be for many years.
Acting publicly, if not privately, without his making any coaching changes, as though all is well, when it obviously isn't, Donahoe will be subjecting both players and fans to a brutal 2026-27 losing year, with no ACC victories in sight, is unconscionable.
+1
Tara's innate kindness was readily apparent to anyone paying attention. Heck, still is. "Everybody is somebody's sister," she continually reminded herself.
I'm not even sure what I'd do at this point. Short of sending Kate to work for several months in some impoverished country with, say, $20 in her pocket, how do you teach a 52-year-old empathy? And if you name an interim HC, who would want to take it?
RE: WBB news - 82lsju - 04-16-2026
(04-15-2026, 08:16 PM)jacket3ree Wrote: There's still hope. I heard somewhere that Thursdays are very popular days for news releases. Unless released on other days of the week. I don't know. How formulaic were those emails if anyone cares to share?
An announcement might be along the lines of 'we are disappointed to lose so many players to the transfer portal but are redoubling our efforts to build a championship caliber team worthy of our program's heritage, yada, and yada.'
or Friday....see for example the hiring of our most recent football coach (which was not only a Friday but the Friday after Thanksgiving)...
https://gostanford.com/news/2025/11/28/tavita-pritchard-named-bradford-m-freeman-director-of-football
RE: WBB news - 2006alum - 04-16-2026
Amborn to Cal. I'm guessing she was the one who would withdraw if we changed coaches. Which presumably means they've been told Paye is staying. For a lost year in an empty gym.
I guess I can root for Cal for a year?
RE: WBB news - SearchingForTheTruth - 04-16-2026
I have not found anything on this site that would justify firing Kate Paye with cause. I have not read the other website.
My opinions follow:
I believe qualitative we improved this past season. Quality wins against Washington and UNC and a deeper run in the WBIT without a starter. I had fun this season.
I will be supporting the team, players, coaches and staff, next season. They need it. I hope others choose to support the team in any positive way they can. I hope everyone involved gets what they are looking for.
(04-14-2026, 10:12 PM)SearchingForTheTruth Wrote: I saw your original question and I haven’t been avoiding the question, I have been trying to articulate it correctly. Still working on it.
(04-14-2026, 08:59 PM)martyup Wrote:(04-14-2026, 08:14 PM)SearchingForTheTruth Wrote: I agree 100%. Thanks for saying it so well.
So, you advocate for keeping KP?
76lsjumb - 76lsjumb - 04-16-2026
(04-16-2026, 11:55 AM)2006alum Wrote: Amborn to Cal. I'm guessing she was the one who would withdraw if we changed coaches. Which presumably means they've been told Paye is staying. For a lost year in an empty gym.
I guess I can root for Cal for a year?
Ouch.
Thanks, Charmin…
RE: 76lsjumb - JohnR34231 - 04-16-2026
(04-16-2026, 12:27 PM)76lsjumb Wrote:(04-16-2026, 11:55 AM)2006alum Wrote: Amborn to Cal. I'm guessing she was the one who would withdraw if we changed coaches. Which presumably means they've been told Paye is staying. For a lost year in an empty gym.
I guess I can root for Cal for a year?
Ouch.
Thanks, Charmin…
I think the only time I could root for Cal is when they are playing U$C.
Other than that...........
RE: WBB news - !ZAR! - 04-16-2026
(04-16-2026, 11:55 AM)2006alum Wrote: Amborn to Cal. I'm guessing she was the one who would withdraw if we changed coaches. Which presumably means they've been told Paye is staying. For a lost year in an empty gym.
I guess I can root for Cal for a year?
Ugh! That guarantees she's gonna be great...
RE: WBB news - petersalas - 04-16-2026
I posted similar sentiments in an earlier post. I will continue to support those on the team and will cheer louder if I have to. The rest of the players on the team deserve all the support and more. Some of the players and their parents have gotten used to seeing our faces, so our faces will be in the same spot. I know it may be an unpopular opinion, but my loyalty to SWBB will not change.
Also, it must be a very difficult situation for our remaining players to be in. Now that players that entered the portal have all committed elsewhere, I’m changing my thought process and hoping we are keeping everyone and that everyone can begin moving forward in a more positive direction. I’ll definitely miss the players we lost and cheer them on, but now I’ll be cheering louder for Shay, Kennedy, Nora, Hailee and Alex, plus the 3 incoming freshman and if they can get anyone from the portal!
(04-16-2026, 12:03 PM)SearchingForTheTruth Wrote: I have not found anything on this site that would justify firing Kate Paye with cause. I have not read the other website.
My opinions follow:
I believe qualitative we improved this past season. Quality wins against Washington and UNC and a deeper run in the WBIT without a starter. It was a fun season.
I will be supporting the team, players, coaches and staff, next season. They need it. I hope others choose to support the team in any positive way they can. I hope everyone involved gets what they are looking for.
(04-14-2026, 10:12 PM)SearchingForTheTruth Wrote: I saw your original question and I haven’t been avoiding the question, I have been trying to articulate it correctly. Still working on it.
(04-14-2026, 08:59 PM)martyup Wrote:(04-14-2026, 08:14 PM)SearchingForTheTruth Wrote: I agree 100%. Thanks for saying it so well.
So, you advocate for keeping KP?
RE: WBB news - SearchingForTheTruth - 04-16-2026
I’m glad there will be at least two people at the games cheering loudly.
(04-16-2026, 01:44 PM)petersalas Wrote: I posted similar sentiments in an earlier post. I will continue to support those on the team and will cheer louder if I have to. The rest of the players on the team deserve all the support and more. Some of the players and their parents have gotten used to seeing our faces, so our faces will be in the same spot. I know it may be an unpopular opinion, but my loyalty to SWBB will not change.
Also, it must be a very difficult situation for our remaining players to be in. Now that players that entered the portal have all committed elsewhere, I’m changing my thought process and hoping we are keeping everyone and that everyone can begin moving forward in a more positive direction. I’ll definitely miss the players we lost and cheer them on, but now I’ll be cheering louder for Shay, Kennedy, Nora, Hailee and Alex, plus the 3 incoming freshman and if they can get anyone from the portal!
(04-16-2026, 12:03 PM)SearchingForTheTruth Wrote: I have not found anything on this site that would justify firing Kate Paye with cause. I have not read the other website.
My opinions follow:
I believe qualitative we improved this past season. Quality wins against Washington and UNC and a deeper run in the WBIT without a starter. It was a fun season.
I will be supporting the team, players, coaches and staff, next season. They need it. I hope others choose to support the team in any positive way they can. I hope everyone involved gets what they are looking for.
(04-14-2026, 10:12 PM)SearchingForTheTruth Wrote: I saw your original question and I haven’t been avoiding the question, I have been trying to articulate it correctly. Still working on it.
(04-14-2026, 08:59 PM)martyup Wrote:(04-14-2026, 08:14 PM)SearchingForTheTruth Wrote: I agree 100%. Thanks for saying it so well.
So, you advocate for keeping KP?
76lsjumb - 76lsjumb - 04-16-2026
Unfortunately, I know of at least seven people who won’t be at the games cheering loudly next season:
Amborn
Clardy
Agara
Peterson
Ogden
Somfai
and Stevenson
Maybe I’m wrong, but I’m thinking that they didn’t consider this a particularly “fun” season…
RE: WBB news - OCcardinal - 04-16-2026
(04-16-2026, 11:55 AM)2006alum Wrote: Amborn to Cal. I'm guessing she was the one who would withdraw if we changed coaches. Which presumably means they've been told Paye is staying.If they planned on replacing Paye, I certainly hope they would have done it by now. The portal's just about to close. Hiring a new coach would reopen the portal again for another 15 days.
RE: WBB news - BobK - 04-16-2026
If a player is in the portal they can sign with a new team after the portal closes
RE: 76lsjumb - stopandpop - 04-16-2026
(04-16-2026, 02:25 PM)76lsjumb Wrote: Unfortunately, I know of at least seven people who won’t be at the games cheering loudly next season:
Amborn
Clardy
Agara
Peterson
Ogden
Somfai
and Stevenson
Maybe I’m wrong, but I’m thinking that they didn’t consider this a particularly “fun” season…
It appears, as many of you have stated, that there will not be a change of leadership. I am saddened by what has (and hasn't) occurred in the last 2 months, but I can't begin to feel how hurt and betrayed all of you must feel, being the long-time incredibly loyal Stanford WBB fans that you are.
From my vantage point, Mr. Donahoe made several critical leadership mistakes including: 1) He did not realize just how badly the program (and the Stanford WBB brand) had fallen in 2 years and did not react decisively in firing KP immediately after the embarrassing loss to BYU; forming a search committee and bringing on board a highly qualified and experienced coach to rebuild the program in quick order. 2) He has shown no sense of urgency in addressing the mass transfers. If the last 2 sub-par seasons were not enough to fire the coach, then the transfers should have been, 3) Throughout these critical 2 months, he has shown zero transparency in addressing the crisis and explaining what he planned to do- to the Stanford community and 4) He's broken your trust.
To me, another season with KP at the helm seems beyond painful. I have loved watching your exceptionally great program under TVD and will miss it.