STANFORD, Calif. – Setsuko Ishiyama Director of Women’s Basketball Kate Paye has added Steven Key to her staff as The Peiros Family Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach, she announced Wednesday.
“Steven is an experienced and veteran coach and we’re fortunate to have him join us at Stanford,” Paye said. “He’s coached at all levels, women and men, in the U.S. and overseas and has been successful as both an assistant and head coach. A great communicator and connector, Steven is excellent when it comes to X’s and O’s and player development. He’s passionate about the game and brings that energy and positivity to the gym each day.
“More than basketball, Steven is a great human being and a family man who is the proud father of two beautiful kids. He is humble, hardworking, shares our program’s values, and wants to help us compete at the highest level. Steven was highly recommended by everyone who has worked with him, including our alumnae he coached in the WNBA.”
With over two decades of coaching experience, Key comes to The Farm after spending last season on staff at UCF. That followed six years in Germany as a coach in the European Professional League with a pair of prominent clubs in Eisbaeren Bremerhaven and Oliver Wurzburg. He led Eisbaeren as head coach for two seasons and spent four years as an assistant with Oliver Wurzburg (2018-22).
Prior to his most recent time in Germany, Key was in the WNBA with stops in Chicago, Connecticut and Indiana. His stateside coaching career began as a Sky assistant in 2006 and 2007 before being elevated to head coach for three seasons (2008-10). He was also an assistant for the Sun in 2014 and 2015 and for the Fever in 2016 and 2017. He’s coached several Stanford alumnae in the WNBA, including Chiney Ogwumike, Jeanette Pohlen and Erica McCall.
“Thank you to Coach Paye, John Donahoe and the entire athletics department for this incredible opportunity,” Key said. “Stanford’s tradition of excellence in academics and athletics speaks for itself. I knew from the moment I stepped on campus and met the people, that this was a place I wanted to be a part of. I am honored to join the Stanford family this amazing community.”
His coaching career began as head coach of the Düsseldorf Magics for three seasons (2003-06). He also has coached in Germany with the Gießen 46ers, Neckar Riesen Ludwigsburg and Licher BasketBären.
A former college point guard at Boston University where he was named the American East Player of the Year in 1990, Key played professionally in the Continental Basketball Association and throughout Europe.
Key fills the role on staff previously held by Stanford alumna Katy Steding, who won two titles with the Cardinal as a player in 1990 and assistant in 2021. Steding has left the program to pursue other opportunities. She will be inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame during enshrinement festivities on August 14-15 along with Tara VanDerveer, Jennifer Azzi and the rest of the 1996 United States Women’s National Team that won gold at the Atlanta Games.