The Indiana Fever have been making headlines recently with significant changes to their coaching staff. These moves come as the team navigates a season filled with high expectations, particularly with the presence of star rookie Caitlin Clark and the upcoming game against Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky.
In a surprising turn of events, the Fever parted ways with head coach Christie Sides on October 27, 2024. Sides had been with the team for two seasons, leading them to a 33-47 record. While this tenure included the Fever's first playoff appearance since 2016, the organization decided to pursue a different direction. Fever President of Basketball Operations Kelly Krauskopf expressed gratitude for Sides' contributions, acknowledging her role in guiding the team through a crucial transition period and setting the stage for future growth. However, Krauskopf emphasized the need for the Fever to be "bold and assertive" in their pursuit of maximizing talent and bringing another WNBA championship to Indiana. Sides, in response to her firing, posted a message on X, stating, "Leave it better than you found it."
Following Sides' departure, the Fever hired Stephanie White as their new head coach for the 2025 season. White brings a wealth of experience to the role, having previously coached the Connecticut Sun for two seasons, leading them to a combined 55-25 record and consecutive playoff appearances. White also has ties to the Fever organization, having served as an assistant coach from 2011 to 2014 and as head coach from 2015 to 2016. White told ESPN that the choice to leave Connecticut was made for both professional and personal reasons.
Adding to the coaching changes, the Fever announced on April 2, 2025, that Briann January had been named an assistant coach, joining White's staff. January, a former WNBA player, spent nine seasons with the Fever and was part of their 2012 WNBA Finals team. White expressed her excitement about January's return, highlighting her impact on the franchise as a player and her continued contributions as a coach.
These coaching changes reflect the Fever's commitment to building a championship-caliber team around their young core, led by Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston, the past two WNBA Rookies of the Year. Krauskopf's return to the Fever organization after a stint with the Indiana Pacers, along with the hiring of Amber Cox as chief operating officer and general manager, signals a complete overhaul of the team's basketball operations.
Despite the high hopes surrounding the Fever, the team has faced challenges early in the 2025 season. After a strong start with a 93-58 victory over Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky, the Fever have struggled, leading to some fans calling for Stephanie White's firing. However, it is important to note that Caitlin Clark suffered a left quadriceps strain, sidelining her for at least two weeks.
Adding to the recent news, Stephanie White will not travel to Chicago with the team due to personal reasons for the June 8, 2025 game.
Despite the early challenges and the absence of Clark, White has praised Angel Reese for her role in increasing WNBA exposure in the Baltimore area. The Fever's game against the Washington Mystics was moved to a larger arena in Baltimore to accommodate Clark's fan base, but White acknowledged Reese's influence as a basketball icon from that region.
