Stanford women’s basketball coach Kate Paye dismisses report of ‘toxic environment’

Stanford women's basketball coach Kate Paye has dismissed a report alleging that her team operates in a "toxic environment." The San Francisco Standard published an article in May claiming that Paye's coaching methods fostered "a dysfunctional and toxic environment, in which coaches intimidate and threaten players." Paye dismissed these allegations during an interview with USA TODAY Sports, stating that the report is "click-bait junk journalism" and that her team does not engage in negativity.

The report was based on interviews with former players and parents, who alleged that Paye held distressing team meetings and threatened scholarship withdrawals or withheld graduate school recommendations. The Standard also obtained emails from parents accusing Paye of creating an unwelcoming environment and restricting players' summer schedules to prevent early graduation.

However, Stanford declined to investigate Paye or take disciplinary action against her, and the coach and the team did not directly acknowledge the report in a statement. Paye remains focused on the upcoming season, expressing excitement about the increased number of NCAA Tournament bids due to an expanded field, and the potential for her roster to make a deep run in the tournament.