The Fever firing head coach Christie Sides fuels Stephanie White reunion speculation
It was weird to hear reports last week that the Indiana Fever were interviewing Stephanie White for head coach considering the incumbent coach, Christie Sides, was still technically on the team.
Well, that’s no longer the case. Indiana has parted ways with Sides, the team announced Sunday, clearing the way for a potential reunion with White, whose first head coaching job was with the Fever in 2015 and 2016.
White also played the majority of her career with the Fever, from the team’s inaugural year in 2000 to 2004. And she was an assistant with the Fever from 2011-2014, which includes the team’s only championship in 2012.
Of course, the ball is in White’s corner to make a decision. The Chicago Sun-Times’ Annie Costabile reported Wednesday the Fever were one of three teams vying for White’s services, along with the Sun and Chicago Sky.
However, considering her history with the team, and the Fever having the brightest young star in the WBNA, Caitlin Clark, the opportunity in Indiana may be too good to pass up.
Rumors that Stephanie White will be Christie Sides’ replacement at the Indiana Fever intensify after her dismissal
The Fever have decided to make a big change
Despite making the playoffs for the first time since 2016 the Indiana Fever have decided to make a head coaching change, firing Christie Sides after just two years.
The news comes after the Fever went 20-20 and made the playoffs, though they were swept in the first round by the Connecticut Sun.
“We are incredibly thankful to Coach Sides for embracing the challenge of leading us through an integral transition period over the last two seasons, while also positioning us well for future growth,” said Fever president of basketball operations Kelly Krauskopf.
“While decisions like these are never easy, it is also imperative that we remain bold and assertive in the pursuit of our goals, which includes maximizing our talent and bringing another WNBA championship back to Indiana. Coach Sides was an incredible representative of the Fever and our community, and we wish her nothing but success in the future.”
Fever already have a replacement in mind?
The move may come as a shock to fans given the strong second half of the season the Fever had, which helped superstar Caitlin Clark become Rookie of the Year.
However it appears the Fever may have made the move with a replacement in mind, with Sun head coach Stephanie White viewed by many as the favorite to take over.
A Chicago Sun-Times article in early October suggested that White wasn’t expected to return to the Sun in 2025, before later clarifying that she is under contract for next season.
However, that speculation continued when Annie Costabile wrote on October 23: “Stephanie White has been in talks with multiple teams regarding her future. The three teams remaining in picture at this point are the Sky, Fever and Sun.”
White is no stranger to the Fever, having spent five seasons with the team while a player. She also served as assistant coach of Indian from 2011-2014 after she retired, and then took over as head coach in the 2015-16 seasons.
Time will tell whether the speculation is true, as the Fever look to begin a new chapter after letting Sides go.
