The Indiana Fever began the hunt for a new head coach on Sunday, following the decision to part ways with Christie Sides. Sides, who was hired by the Fever in 2023 and spent two years with the team, was let go following a 20-20 season in Indiana. In her first year with the organization, 2023, Sides guided the squad to a 13-27 record. They made a quality jump from No. 10 to No. 6 in the standings from 2023 to 2024, but it wasn’t enough to secure Sides’ job. As the Fever embark on a new chapter, speculations have surfaced that the team is considering one specific candidate to succeed Sides as head coach in Indiana. Stephanie White, a former Indiana Fever player and coach, was soon linked to the organization as the top candidate, according to Annie Costabile.
White played with the Indiana Fever from 2000 to 2004. After retiring from her playing career, she began coaching at Ball State. After a few turns at the collegiate level, White gained her first WNBA opportunity as an assistant coach with the Chicago Sky from 2007 to 2010. She later worked as an assistant coach for the Fever from 2011 to 2014. White was promoted following the 2014 season, making her the head coach of Indiana from 2015 to 2016. White served as head coach of Vanderbilt’s women’s basketball team from 2016 until 2021. White then returned to the WNBA, accepting the position of head coach for the Connecticut Sun in 2023. She won Coach of the Year in 2023 and has led the team to consecutive postseason trips.
The Fever appear to be in “win-now” mode following the firing of Sides. Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston are one of the league’s best young duos, thus Indiana should be well-positioned for success. Clark, the Fever’s on-court leader during her debut season in 2024, averaged 19.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 8.4 assists while capturing debut of the Year honours.
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