The Indiana Fever made a swift decision on Friday afternoon, only a week after firing head coach Christie Sides. They have hired or re-hired Stephanie White as the new head coach.
White, who was recently let go by the Connecticut Sun, previously coached the Fever from 2015 to 2016. She was also an assistant coach for Indiana from 2011 to 2014 and played for the team from 2000 to 2004.
President of basketball operations Kelly Krauskopf explained the reasoning behind bringing White back, saying:
With the new chapter in Fever basketball starting, I am excited to have Stephanie return to the team. She has deep roots in this franchise as a former player and championship-winning coach, and her basketball knowledge and leadership are unmatched. I believe she is the perfect fit to lead our team to the next level.
White expressed her excitement about returning to Indiana, saying:
I am thrilled to come back to Indiana and be a part of this pivotal moment in the team’s history and in women’s athletics. The Fever is dedicated to winning, and I am eager to work towards bringing another WNBA title to our amazing fans.
The hiring of White puts pressure on both the organization and White herself. By bringing in an experienced WNBA coach, the team is signaling their intention to compete for a championship as early as next season. White will be tasked with leading a young team, in contrast to the veteran-heavy Sun team she found success with in Connecticut.
