One of the most successful eras in Ivy sports history is coming to an end.
Harvard Athletics announced Friday that Crimson women’s coach Kathy Delaney-Smith will retire at the end of the 2021-22 season, her 40th at Harvard’s helm.
“I have spent 40 incredible years doing the job that I love,” Delaney-Smith told Harvard Athletics. “I have always believed that sports is the greatest classroom for life. It has been my great honor to build the basketball program at Harvard and to mentor, coach, and work alongside such incredible people. I am so very proud of our players and alumnae. Their impact on me has been immeasurable.”
Delaney-Smith’s 617 career wins and 360 Ivy League victories are the most of any head coach in Ivy hoops history.
It was Delaney-Smith who led the Crimson to the first No. 16 vs. No. 1-seed upset in NCAA Tournament history with Harvard’s win over top-seeded Stanford in 1998.
The Crimson have been winners at a remarkably consistent rate under Delaney-Smith’s tenure, posting a winning percentage of .500 or better in 31 of the last 32 seasons.
“Kathy Delaney-Smith is a true icon for women’s basketball in the Ivy League and nationally,” Harvard athletic director Erin McDermott said in a statement released by Harvard Athletics. “She is a trailblazer who is universally respected, admired, celebrated and beloved. Kathy’s impact at Harvard is immeasurable and to say she will leave an indelible mark on the game and on Harvard just doesn’t capture her full imprint. It’s been a privilege to cross-over with Kathy for my short time at Harvard. She has been a leader among leaders and her presence has been instrumental in maintaining a culture of care and community within the department. Kathy will always be part of the Crimson.”
Delaney-Smith will look to lead the Crimson to a homestyle storybook ending to her Ivy coaching career by winning the Ivy League Tournament at Lavietes Pavilion in March.
Delaney-Smith came to Harvard in 1982 after going 204-31 at Westwood (Mass.) High School, including six undefeated regular seasons and one Massachusetts state title.
A cancer survivor, Delaney-Smith has been a prominent cancer research advocate and has spoken at fundraisers in the Boston area for cancer research.
A national search for Delaney-Smith’s successor will be conducted in the spring, Harvard Athletics said.