Geno closing the gap with Tara for most wins by a coach

[maxw]

With Stanford losing early and UConn in FF, Geno has 2 more wins and is now only 3 behind Tara. If Geno's and the team's miracle run (Geno's words) continues, we may erase one or two from that gap.

With the team coming back for us next year, and Tara having to travel 3K miles several times next year just to play league games, it's very likely that next year is when Geno will firmly be at the top of the list. Hard to believe she'll continue for much longer as the coach with their new conference. Listening to him recently, I can guarantee Geno would have retired soon if he had to travel cross-country a dozen times a year just to play conference games. At their ages, they are too accomplished (and wealthy) to have to go through this for long.

It was kinda sickening to see very little praise of Geno's (co-)achievement of also overtaking coach K this year, while Tara's (deservedly) got tons of coverage.

 

[Linart]

It's absolutely ridiculous that there's no big conference on the West Coast. They don't care about the student athletes, just the revenue from football.

 

[fireford]

Slightly OT, but since we're bringing it up, while it's crazy that a storied program like Stanford has to play teams all the way across the country, it's equally crazy that Oregon State, which will return with a title-contending roster (barring defections in the portal) goes from a P5 conference to almost no conference at all other than agreement from WCC to put some games on their schedule.

 

[UcMiami]

So ... I believe Stanford won 30 games this season and Uconn is at 33 with a possible 2 more at the FF. That would closing the gap by 3-5 wins this year.

And just an aside... in looking at Tara's wiki page, I noticed that she is now being credited with wins while she was on a leave of absence from Stanford during 1995-96 season while she coached the National Team prior to the 1996 Olympics. A long time ago when I looked (ten plus years ago) I am sure there was a one year gap in her coaching resume for that year. Curious when it got reinstated, because I believe she neither ran practices nor coached during any games that year. (It was not the same as taking time away from the team in the middle of the season. for a week because of sickness, etc.) No big deal and it is fun that they are actually neck and neck in a two person race.

 

[Bone Dog]

I got jumped on a few weeks back when I expressed sympathy for Tara that her achievement would likely be eclipsed so soon. Oh, the injustice of the social media age!

And I even made clear to point out that neither Tara or Geno is in this for records.

 

[Charliebball]

With Stanford losing early and UConn in FF, Geno has 2 more wins and is now only 3 behind Tara. If Geno's and the team's miracle run (Geno's words) continues, we may erase one or two from that gap.

With the team coming back for us next year, and Tara having to travel 3K miles several times next year just to play league games, it's very likely that next year is when Geno will firmly be at the top of the list. Hard to believe she'll continue for much longer as the coach with their new conference. Listening to him recently, I can guarantee Geno would have retired soon if he had to travel cross-country a dozen times a year just to play conference games. At their ages, they are too accomplished (and wealthy) to have to go through this for long.

It was kinda sickening to see very little praise of Geno's (co-)achievement of also overtaking coach K this year, while Tara's (deservedly) got tons of coverage.

nobody cared about the third guy who climbed Mt. Everest either............

 

[Cuango]

So ... I believe Stanford won 30 games this season and Uconn is at 33 with a possible 2 more at the FF. That would closing the gap by 3-5 wins this year.

And just an aside... in looking at Tara's wiki page, I noticed that she is now being credited with wins while she was on a leave of absence from Stanford during 1995-96 season while she coached the National Team prior to the 1996 Olympics. A long time ago when I looked (ten plus years ago) I am sure there was a one year gap in her coaching resume for that year. Curious when it got reinstated, because I believe she neither ran practices nor coached during any games that year. (It was not the same as taking time away from the team in the middle of the season. for a week because of sickness, etc.) No big deal and it is fun that they are actually neck and neck in a two person race.

Wait! Are you saying Tara got credit for games where she was not the game coach? Is that the way it works everywhere? Does Geno get to count the games where CD was the game coach?

 

[Gus Mahler]

nobody cared about the third guy who climbed Mt. Everest either............

Great point!

 

[BRS24]

Wait! Are you saying Tara got credit for games where she was not the game coach? Is that the way it works everywhere? Does Geno get to count the games where CD was the game coach?

Yes. Technically, if you are the head coach, you get the W & Ls.

 

[AnonChoice]

Keep in mind that 1) Tara has coached for about six years longer than Geno, so having three more wins over six more years is not impressive; and 2) her career winning percentage is something like .818, and his is .883. He's already the winningest coach.

 

[oldhusky]

Keep in mind that 1) Tara has coached for about six years longer than Geno, so having three more wins over six more years is not impressive; and 2) her career winning percentage is something like .818, and his is .883. He's already the winningest coach.

Geno for many years had been eating away at Tara's lead, maybe a couple of games a year, but then the injury bug hit, and Stanford won a championship and just about the time Geno caught her, it expanded a little. Now things look like they are swing back Geno's way, and next year, on paper looks like we should have an edge, particularly with Brink departing.

 

[Plebe]

And just an aside... in looking at Tara's wiki page, I noticed that she is now being credited with wins while she was on a leave of absence from Stanford during 1995-96 season while she coached the National Team prior to the 1996 Olympics. A long time ago when I looked (ten plus years ago) I am sure there was a one year gap in her coaching resume for that year. Curious when it got reinstated, because I believe she neither ran practices nor coached during any games that year. (It was not the same as taking time away from the team in the middle of the season. for a week because of sickness, etc.) No big deal and it is fun that they are actually neck and neck in a two person race.

I'm nearly certain that Stanford's wins during that Olympic year do not count toward Tara's win total. Wikipedia isn't always the most accurate source.

 

[Next 12]

I'm nearly certain that Stanford's wins during that Olympic year do not count toward Tara's win total. Wikipedia isn't always the most accurate source.

It won't make any difference. In the next 3-4 years Uconn with the team we have now and the new recruits, Ali Ziebel and Morgan Cheli coming in, Uconn will win 105 to 140 more games and the rest will be history.GENO WILL ALWAYS BE NUMBER ONE for ALL TIME. Never to be passed. GO GENO!!! GO FRESHMEN!!!! GO GO HUSKIES!!!!!

 

[The CDR-Ret]

It won't make any difference. In the next 3-4 years Uconn with the team we have now and the new recruits, Ali Ziebel and Morgan Cheli coming in, Uconn will win 105 to 140 more games and the rest will be history.GENO WILL ALWAYS BE NUMBER ONE for ALL TIME. Never to be passed. GO GENO!!! GO FRESHMEN!!!! GO GO HUSKIES!!!!!

It is time for all of the Freshmen to make that "Sophomore Jump" as they enter the Cleveland facilities for the game vs. IOWA, and all of the Seniors do not acquire a foul until the fourth Quarter (if then) and it's just lights out for a UConn big lead in the first quarter that is never relinquished.

Go Huskies!!!

 

[UcMiami]

I'm nearly certain that Stanford's wins during that Olympic year do not count toward Tara's win total. Wikipedia isn't always the most accurate source.

You are correct I just checked and while the Wiki page lists that season, the total wins does not include it.

Hadn't checked the actual numbers.

 

[From France]

Wasn't Tara's Stanford team who broke the two winningest series ?

 

[From France]

There is a rivalry against Stanford as much as there was with Notre Dame but with way more of respect

 

[Big Fan]

The question then becomes who retires first. Does Tara feel strongly enough about the record to try and outlast Geno? Will the huge increase in travel for Stanford by joining the ACC affect her decision? Those trips to upstate NY, Pittsburgh, Boston, the Carolinas in winter might just be too much.

 

[packwrap]

The question then becomes who retires first. Does Tara feel strongly enough about the record to try and outlast Geno? Will the huge increase in travel for Stanford by joining the ACC affect her decision? Those trips to upstate NY, Pittsburgh, Boston, the Carolinas in winter might just be too much.

When Geno congratulated Tara and then again later when he also passed Coach K, he mentioned that he most likely would never catch Tara.

Ironically he now has a good chance. The huskies will be good again next year with usual tough out of conference schedule and smooth big east. Stanford looks to be having a down year and of course faces a new challenging acc schedule/travel.

If conservatively UConn has 2 losses and Stanford 7 going into NCAA tourney that's a big swing in 1 year for win totals.

Neither Geno or Tara really needs the recognition, as both have done so much for women's basketball, but it would be fun to see Geno hold the record even briefly.

 

[hoopsfan22]

Geno has said recently that he won't be the one to hold this record, so he probably has a good idea that he's retiring before Tara despite the slight age difference. Geno has other things in his life that he probably wants to spend more time on like his restaurants, golf, etc. and records like this have never really meant that much to him anyway.

 

[Blueconn]

So ... I believe Stanford won 30 games this season and Uconn is at 33 with a possible 2 more at the FF. That would closing the gap by 3-5 wins this year.

And just an aside... in looking at Tara's wiki page, I noticed that she is now being credited with wins while she was on a leave of absence from Stanford during 1995-96 season while she coached the National Team prior to the 1996 Olympics. A long time ago when I looked (ten plus years ago) I am sure there was a one year gap in her coaching resume for that year. Curious when it got reinstated, because I believe she neither ran practices nor coached during any games that year. (It was not the same as taking time away from the team in the middle of the season. for a week because of sickness, etc.) No big deal and it is fun that they are actually neck and neck in a two person race.

‘Figures lie and liars figure” and I still do batting averages and era calculations in my ancient head. Geno Auriemma is the best coach ever and only one number matters.

 

[Rowdy831]

Geno is getting near the end of the line. If he coached three more years I would be shocked. He has that look that coaches get when the effort is no longer worth the toll it takes on your mind and body. He may not have the most wins, he may never have the most wins, but he is and will be heralded as the greatest WCBB coach of all time. A distinction he has earned many times over.

 

[CL82]

Statistics updated as of March 31, 2024.

Rank	Name	Years	Wins	Losses	Pct.	Teams (Seasons)
1	Tara VanDerveer**	45	1,216	271	.818	Idaho (1978–80), Ohio State (1980–85), Stanford(1985–95, 1996–)
2	Geno Auriemma**	39	1,213	161	.883	UConn(1985–)
3	Pat Summitt **	38	1,098	208	.841	Tennessee(1974–2012)
4	Barbara Stevens **	43	1,058	291	.784	Clark (MA)(1977–83), Massachusetts(1983–86), Bentley(1986–2020)
5	C. Vivian Stringer **	50	1,055	426	.712	Cheyney(1971–83), Iowa (1983–95), Rutgers(1995–2022)
6	Sylvia Hatchell **	44	1,023	405	.716	Francis Marion(1975–86), North Carolina(1986–2019)
7	Muffet McGraw **	38	936	293	.762	Lehigh (1982–87), Notre Dame (1987–2020)
8	Andy Yosinoff	46	915	306	.750	Emmanuel (MA) (1977–)
9	Jim Foster*	40	903	347	.722	Saint Joseph's(1978–91), Vanderbilt(1991–2002), Ohio State(2002–13), Chattanooga(2013–2018)
10	Jody Conradt **	38	900	309	.744	Sam Houston(1969–73), UT Arlington(1973–76), Texas (1976–2007)
11-T	Tom Shirley	42	881	378	.700	DeSales(1981–89), Jefferson(1989–)
11-T	Lisa Bluder	40	881	395	.690	St. Ambrose(1984–90), Drake (1990–2000), Iowa(2000–)
13	Joe Foley	37	866	324	.728	Arkansas Tech(1987–2003), Little Rock(2003–)
14	Robin Selvig	38	865	286	.752	Montana(1978–2016)
15	Andy Landers *	36	862	299	.742	Georgia(1979–2015)
16	Gary Blair**	37	852	348	.710	Stephen F. Austin (1985–93), Arkansas(1993–2003), Texas A&M(2003–2022)
17	Curt Fredrickson	39	846	306	.734	Northern State(1977–83, 1985–2018)
18	Wes Moore	35	829	256	.764	Maryville (TN)(1987–93), Francis Marion(1995–98), Chattanooga(1998–2013), NC State(2013–)
19	Kevin Borseth	37	821	316	.722	Michigan Tech(1987–98), Michigan(2007–12), Green Bay(1998–2007, 2012–)
20	Michael Strong	34	815	182	.817	Scranton(1979–94, 1995–2014)
21	David Slifer	35	805	278	.743	Mount Mercy(1989–95), Missouri Western State(1995–2004), Central Missouri(2004–)
22	Mike Davis	35	797	349	.695	Columbia (MO) (2001–14), Central Methodist(1987–99, 2015–)[4]
23	Doug Bruno *	38	786	405	.660	DePaul (1976–78, 1988–)
24	Harry Perretta	42	783	489	.616	Villanova(1978–2020)
25	Nancy Fahey *	36	779	232	.771	Washington (MO) (1986–2017), Illinois(2017–2022)
26	Bill Fennelly	36	777	366	.680	Toledo (1988–95), Iowa State(1995–)
27	Joe McKeown	38	768	414	.650	New Mexico State (1986–89), George Washington(1989–2008), Northwestern(2008–)
28	Michael Miller	38	759	255	.749	Messiah(1986–)
29	Phillip Kahler	34	757	171	.816	St. John Fisher(1974–2008)
30	Glenn Wilkes Jr.	38	753	330	.695	Rollins (1986–)
31	Gordy Presnell	37	751	368	.671	Seattle Pacific(1987–2005), Boise State(2005–)
32	Michael Durbin	39	749	284	.725	Wittenberg(1985–86), Saint Benedict(1986–)
33	Dixie Jeffers	39	744	287	.722	Rio Grande(1983–86), Capital (1986–2022)
34	Mark Campbell	25	742	116	.865	Union (TN)(1999–)
35	Debbie Ryan *	34	739	324	.695	Virginia (1977–2011)
36	Kay Yow **	38	737	344	.682	Elon (1971–75), NC State(1975–2009)
37	Joanne Bracker *	42	736	403	.646	Midland (NE)(1970–2012)
38	Dale Neal	26	735	185	.799	Freed–Hardeman(1994–2020)
39	Kim Mulkey†[a]	24	722	117	.861	Baylor (2000–2021), LSU(2021–)
40	Kris Huffman	31	721	148	.830	DePauw(1993–)
41	Judy Blinstrub	39	719	330	.685	Babson(1984–2023)
42	Brian Morehouse	28	711	98	.879	Hope (1996–)
43	Sue Gunter**	34	708	308	.697	Stephen F. Austin (1968–80), LSU(1982–2004)
44	Cindy Russo	38	707	408	.634	Lamar (1978–80), FIU(1977–78, 1980–2015)
45	Lonnie Kruse	33	706	244	.743	Sterling (KS)(1981–2014)
46	Joan Bonvicini	36	701	421	.625	Long Beach State (1979–91), Arizona(1991–2008), Seattle (2009–2016)
47-T	Stephanie Gaitley	37	698	410	.630	Richmond(1985–91), Saint Joseph's(1991–2001), LIU Brooklyn(2002–08), Monmouth(2008–11), Fordham(2011–2022), FDU (2023–)
47-T	John Wethington	35	698	409	.631	Lindsey Wilson(1989–)[5]
49	Dave Krauth	34	695	302	.697	Augustana (SD) (1989–2023)
50-T	Connie Tilley	42	693	312	.690	St. Norbert(1977–2019)
50-T	Rene Portland	31	693	265	.723	Saint Joseph's(1976–78), Colorado(1978–80), Penn State(1980–2007)
52	Carmen Dolfo	33	691	262	.725	Western Washington(1990–2003, 2004–)
53	Yvonne Kauffman	42	689	328	.677	Elizabethtown(1970–2012)
54	Cheri Harrer	34	688	246	.737	Baldwin Wallace(1990–)
55	Theresa Grentz **	35	681	362	.653	Saint Joseph's(1974–76), Rutgers(1976–95), Illinois (1995–2007), Lafayette(2015–17)
56	Jamie Sale	26	680	208	.766	Briar Cliff(1998–2001), Morningside(2001–)[6]
57	Brian Niemuth	37	679	298	.695	Simpson(1987–)
58	Russ Davis	28	677	185	.785	Vanguard(1996–)[7]
59	David Smalley	32	676	350	.659	Rio Grande(1992–)[8]
60	Nancy Winstel	32	675	255	.726	Midway(1978–81), Northern Kentucky(1983–2012)
61	Karl Smesko	25	672	137	.831	Walsh (1997–98), Purdue Fort Wayne(1999–2001), FGCU (2002–)
62	Amy Ruley*	29	671	198	.772	North Dakota State (1979–2008)
63	Lisa Stone	36	667	375	.640	Cornell (IA)(1985–88), Wisconsin–Eau Claire(1988–2000), Drake (2000–2003), Wisconsin(2003–2011), Saint Louis(2012–2022)
64	Fred Richter	34	665	254	.724	De Sales(1990–)
65	Nancy Funk	40	663	353	.653	Messiah(1977–86), Johns Hopkins(1986–2017)
66	Gary Fifield	27	660	137	.828	Southern Maine (1987–2008, 2009–15)
67	Steve Brooks	24	659	176	.789	Indiana Wesleyan(1999–2016), Saint Francis(2017–21), Marian (IN)(2021–)[9]
68	Lisa Stockton	33	654	371	.638	Greensboro College(1987–90), Tulane(1994–)
69	Lonnie Bartley	31	652	258	.716	Fort Valley State (1984–2013, 2015–2017)
70	Mike McLaughlin	28	650	223	.745	Holy Family(1995–2009), Penn (2009–2020, 2021–)
71	Tim Shea	30	649	197	.767	Salem State(1981–2011)
72	Mary Beth Spirk	37	648	345	.653	Moravian(1987–)
73	Carroll LaHaye	38	647	376	.632	Randolph–Macon (1982–2020)
74-T	Michael McDevitt	32	646	224	.743	Southern Maine (2008–09), St. Joseph (ME)(1987–2003, 2009–)
74-T	Joanne P. McCallie	28	646	255	.717	Maine (1992–2000), Michigan State(2000–2007), Duke (2007–2020)
76	Mary Fleig	37	645	377	.631	Franklin & Marshall(1983–90), Millersville(1990–2020)
77	Jeff Mittie	32	644	370	.635	Missouri Western(1992–95), Arkansas St.(1995–99), TCU (1999–2014), Kansas St. (2014–)
78	Stephanie Findley	37	640	484	.569	Oklahoma Christian(1985–)
79	Brenda Frese	25	639	191	.770	Ball State(1999–2001), Minnesota(2001–02), Maryland(2002–)
80	Robin Hagen-Smith	24	637	161	.798	Shawnee State(1989–2013)
81	Tom Jessee	31	636	273	.700	Bluefield St.(1988–1997), Tampa(2002–)
82	Bob Schneider *	28	634	201	.759	Texas Woman's(1978–81), West Texas A&M (1981–2006)
83	Lori Culler	35	633	430	.595	Huntington(1986–2022)
84	Buffie Burson	30	632	284	.690	North Georgia(1994–)
85	Kathleen Delaney-Smith	39	630	434	.592	Harvard(1982–2020, 2021–2022)
86-T	Gene Roebuck	25	628	145	.812	North Dakota(1987–2012)
86-T	David Smith	34	628	333	.653	St. Joseph's (IN) (1976–78, 1984–90), Shippensburg(1990–98), Bellarmine(1998–2012), West Virginia State (2012–2016)
88	Chris Gobrecht	44	626	662	.486	Cal State Fullerton(1979–1985), Washington(1985–1996), Florida St.(1996–97), Southern California(1997–2004), Yale (2005–2015), Air Force (2015–)
89-T	Bill Gibbons Jr.	34	613	410	.599	Holy Cross(1985–2019)
89-T	Robert Skinner	44	613	586	.511	Paine (1980–1991), Albany St. (GA)(1991–)
91	Susan Dunagan	33	611	271	.693	Roanoke(1981–2014)
92-T	Dawn Staley	23	608	186	.766	Temple(2000–2008), South Carolina(2008–)
92-T	Wendy Larry	27	608	234	.722	Virginia Wesleyan(1977–78), Arizona(1985–87), Old Dominion(1987–2011)
92-T	Sharon Fanning	36	608	460	.569	Chattanooga(1976–87), Kentucky(1987–95), Mississippi State (1995–2012)
92-T	Wendee Saintsing	35	608	368	.623	Barton(1989–)
96-T	Joe Ciampi*	27	607	213	.740	Army (1977–79), Auburn(1979–2004)
96-T	Mike Granelli	32	607	249	.709	Saint Peter's (NJ) (1972–2004)
98	J. Randall Ognibene	33	606	264	.697	Mount Saint Mary (1980–2013)
99	Kelly Graves	27	605	273	.689	Sint Mary's (CA) (1997–2000), Gonzaga(2000–14), Oregon(2014–)
100	Lynne Agee	33	602	334	.643	Roanoke(1978–81), UNC Greensboro(1981–2011)
101	G. P. Gromacki	23	601	88	.872	St. Lawrence(1998–2004), Hamilton(2006–07), Amherst(2007–)

 

[hoopsfan22]

Geno is getting near the end of the line. If he coached three more years I would be shocked. He has that look that coaches get when the effort is no longer worth the toll it takes on your mind and body. He may not have the most wins, he may never have the most wins, but he is and will be heralded as the greatest WCBB coach of all time. A distinction he has earned many times over.

He was asked in the USC post-game presser how he liked playing this regional in Portland because it's going to be the final four site in I think five seasons from now, and he said something along the lines of it's great but I'll be watching from my couch with my grand kids next time it's here. If they win #12 this weekend, I wouldn't be shocked if he calls it a career a few weeks after that while no one's paying attention.

 

[Huskyfaninsd]

He was asked in the USC post-game presser how he liked playing this regional in Portland because it's going to be the final four site in I think five seasons from now, and he said something along the lines of it's great but I'll be watching from my couch with my grand kids next time it's here. If they win #12 this weekend, I wouldn't be shocked if he calls it a career a few weeks after that while no one's paying attention.

I think he was joking. Who knows how long he will coach, but he doesn’t appear to be done anytime soon. Maybe it’s 5 years from now? However, it won’t certainly be this year even they pulled off the win especially with Paige coming back.

 

[UcMiami]

The question then becomes who retires first. Does Tara feel strongly enough about the record to try and outlast Geno? Will the huge increase in travel for Stanford by joining the ACC affect her decision? Those trips to upstate NY, Pittsburgh, Boston, the Carolinas in winter might just be too much.

Everybody talks about how much travel Stanford suddenly has, but never mentions how much additional travel the rest of the ACC now has as well. Everyone is going to make that trip in the middle of the conference schedule.

 

[Plebe]

Everybody talks about how much travel Stanford suddenly has, but never mentions how much additional travel the rest of the ACC now has as well. Everyone is going to make that trip in the middle of the conference schedule.

I believe most if not all of the other teams will only make the Bay Area trip every other year. Stanford, meanwhile, will be 2-3 time zones away for nearly half of their conference schedule.

I'll be curious to see how they perform in their games that start on Sunday at 9 a.m. Pacific time.

 

[hoopsfan22]

I believe most if not all of the other teams will only make the Bay Area trip every other year. Stanford, meanwhile, will be 2-3 time zones away for nearly half of their conference schedule.

I'll be curious to see how they perform in their games that start on Sunday at 9 a.m. Pacific time.

The Pac12 used to schedule their games Friday-Sunday to reduce the number of road trips, and I imagine they'll do the same thing when Stanford moves to the ACC. Fly out on Thursday, play a couple of east coast games Friday-Sunday, then fly back to the west coast so they can be back in class Monday morning. During basketball season that would mean doing that about one weekend each month of the regular season. I don't think it's going to be that bad. UConn dealt with some pretty horrific travel schedules in the AAC too where they were seemingly always on the road, so it's not unprecedented.

 

[Plebe]

The Pac12 used to schedule their games Friday-Sunday to reduce the number of road trips, and I imagine they'll do the same thing when Stanford moves to the ACC. Fly out on Thursday, play a couple of east coast games Friday-Sunday, then fly back to the west coast so they can be back in class Monday morning. During basketball season that would mean doing that about one weekend each month of the regular season. I don't think it's going to be that bad. UConn dealt with some pretty horrific travel schedules in the AAC too where they were seemingly always on the road, so it's not unprecedented.

If they play two games per road trip, that would likely mean at least four road trips over a roughly 9-week period.

I don't recall UConn ever having to travel more than one time zone away in the AAC. Our travel was roughly the same as it's been for, say, Notre Dame and Louisville in the ACC. What Stanford and Cal are facing next year is on another order of mileage and jet lag.

 

[Cuango]

I don’t get the sense that he’s going anywhere for a while! I expect him to coach four more years at least! He has put in a lot of effort to build his roster back up to where it is probably the best in the country and I believe he will want to coach this incredible group of young women before he leaves.