Indiana Fever Reportedly Eyeing Familiar Face For Head Coach Vacancy

 

The Indiana Fever joined the search for a new head coach on Sunday after the organization decided to part ways with Christie Sides.

Sides, who was hired by the Fever in 2023 and spent two years with the organization, was dismissed after a 20-20 season in Indiana.

In her first year with the organization, 2023, Sides led the team to a 13-27 record.

They made a quality jumping from No. 10 to No. 6 in the standings from 2023 to 2024, but that wasn’t enough for Sides’ job security.

As the Fever turn the page into a new chapter, reports have surfaced about the organization eyeing one particular candidate to replace Sides as the head coach in Indiana.

Former Indiana Fever player and coach Stephanie White was quickly linked to the organization as the No. 1 candidate, per Annie Costabile.

White played for the Indiana Fever from 2000 to 2004. Following her retirement from her playing career, she began coaching Ball State.

After a couple of stops at the collegiate level, White received her first WNBA opportunity as an assistant coach of the Chicago Sky from 2007 to 2010.

She then served as an assistant coach for the Fever from 2011 to 2014. White was promoted after the 2014 season, deeming her the head coach in Indiana from 2015 to 2016.

From 2016 to 2021, White was the head coach of the women’s basketball team at Vanderbilt.

White then moved back into the WNBA atmosphere, accepting the role as the head coach of the Connecticut Sun in 2023. She won the Coach of the Year in 2023 and has led the team to back-to-back postseason appearances.

Indiana Fever head coach Christie Sides and guard Caitlin Clark (22)

Indiana Fever head coach Christie Sides and guard Caitlin Clark (22)

© Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The Fever seem to be in “win-now” mode after the firing of Sides.

They have one of the best young duos in the league with Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston, so Indiana should be set up for success.

Clark, who served as the on-court leader for the Fever during her rookie season in 2024, averaged 19.2 points, 5.7 rebounds and 8.4 assists en route to winning the Rookie of the Year award.