Caitlin Clark’s Fever Hire Stephanie White as Head Coach
By: D’Joumbarey A. Moreau
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – After a split with the Connecticut Sun earlier in the week Stephanie White has found a new home with the Indiana Fever.
“I am incredibly proud and honored to return home to Indiana and lead the Fever during such a pivotal moment in this franchise’s history, as well as during such an important time throughout women’s athletics,” White stated. “This franchise has always been committed to winning, and I can’t wait to roll up my sleeves and deliver another WNBA title to the greatest basketball fans in the world.”
In a chat with ESPN’s Malika Andrews, White expressed her enthusiasm and joy for coaching the best point guard in the league Caitlin Clark, the WNBA Rookie of the Year, noting that they’ve already connected.
Indiana had an opening for a head coaching position after letting go of Christie Sides on October 27, who led the team to a 33-47 record over two seasons but managed to guide them to a playoff berth in 2024.
The decision to part ways with White by the Sun was a huge surprise, given her impressive track record. Under her leadership, the Sun boasted an amazing 55-25 record and made back-to-back playoff semifinal appearances.
Connecticut’s 2024 season ended with heartbreak though as they lost to a stacked Minnesota Lynx team 88-77 in Game 5 of the semifinals. Sun president Jen Rizzotti stated that the organization and White parted on good terms, as some of White’s decision-making extended beyond basketball.
Returning to Indiana is special reunion for White, who played four years of college ball at Purdue and spent another four years with the Fever from 2000 to 2004. After finishing her playing career, she shifted to coaching, previously leading the Fever from 2011 to 2016. In her first season, the Fever reached the WNBA Finals, only to fall to the Lynx in a nail-biting five-game series.
Of the seven head-coaching vacancies in the WNBA this offseason, the Fever head coaching position was the most appealing. With two of the brightest young stars like Clark and Aliyah Boston on the roster, the potential for success is clear.
Clark’s impact was immediate, helping the Fever rank third in both points per game and offensive rating during the 2024 season. If the Fever can bolster their defensive efficiency—an area they’ve struggled with since 2017—they’ll be in a prime position to contend for a title.
White’s teams have consistently finished no lower than sixth in defensive rating throughout her four seasons as a head coach, offering hope for a turnaround in Indiana.
