After 25 years on the sidelines, including 14 seasons as head coach of MSU Denver’s women’s basketball program, Tanya Haave has announced her retirement. Haave, the winningest coach in program history, leaves behind a legacy of excellence both on and off the court.
“While many factors went into this decision for me, this is the right time personally and professionally for the next chapter in my life, and also the right time for a new voice to lead the program,” Haave said.
A Colorado native, Haave took the reins of the Roadrunners program in 2010, and she quickly made her mark. In her first season, she led the team to a 30-3 record, a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference regular-season championship, and the program’s first-ever NCAA regional title. Over the course of her tenure, Haave guided the team to two RMAC regular-season championships, five NCAA Tournament appearances, and a 2022 RMAC Tournament title.
“I can’t thank Coach Haave enough for all she has done for MSU Denver and our women’s basketball program,” said Athletic Director Todd Thurman. “Not only did she have great success as our coach, but she was an amazing leader who provided guidance and mentorship to the players that came through our program.”
Haave amassed a 252-179 record at MSU Denver and a 288-265 overall record as a collegiate head coach. She earned three RMAC Coach of the Year awards, coached two All-Americans, five All-Region players, three RMAC Freshmen of the Year and 38 All-RMAC honorees.
Her impact extended beyond wins and championships.
“I want to thank all of the players I’ve had the opportunity to coach,” Haave said. “One of the major reasons I loved coaching so much was the special relationships I developed with so many players through the years. Those relationships will always be special to me.”
Haave’s coaching career began under Hall of Famer Ceal Barry at the University of Colorado, where she helped lead the Buffaloes to three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances. She later served as an assistant at Regis University before securing her first head coaching position at the University of San Francisco. In 2010, she returned home to Colorado to take over the Roadrunners program.
Before her coaching career, Haave was an All-American player at the University of Tennessee, playing under the legendary coach Pat Summitt and helping the Lady Vols to three Final Four appearances. She graduated from Tennessee in 1985 as the school’s all-time leading scorer and went on to play professionally for 14 years in Europe and Australia, earning 10 all-star selections.
“I have been incredibly blessed to have two amazing mentors who have shaped so much of who I am as a coach—Pat Summitt and Ceal Barry,” Haave said. “Pat Summitt is the reason I wanted to coach, and I am forever grateful to have had her in my life.”
