Tara VanDerveer’s retirement shocked many fans, but it was a new reality for her that finally made sense. On Wednesday, when describing why she decided to retire now, after 38 seasons, she dropped a morbid one-liner — a “Tara-ism” — about what making that decision was like.
To know Tara VanDerveer is to understand that she can coach the heck out of some basketball and deliver a zinger like nobody else can. Affectionately known as “Tara-isms,” VanDerveer’s witty but impactful one-liners were a staple of her career. That wasn’t going to change simply because she’s retiring.
During her retirement press conference on Wednesday, the Stanford head coach explained to the media that she wasn’t sure the day she would no longer coach would ever come. VanDerveer jokingly said she thought the conclusion of her life would be on the bench.
“Sometimes, it’s just…you’re ready. I just felt I’m ready. I never really thought I would be. I kind of just felt like maybe I would keel over on the bench…because I love it.”
Oh, Tara… 🤦♀️😂 pic.twitter.com/vaUecRYIic
— Stanford WBB 🤓🏀 (@StanfordWBB) April 10, 2024
