The WNBA coaching carousel is spinning faster than Caitlin Clark’s jump shot. Just one week after the WNBA Finals, the Indiana Fever announced their breakup with head coach Christie Sides. She’s the sixth coach dismissed this offseason—yes, that’s over half the league’s head honchos out the door. So, if you’re keeping track, the head-coaching hotline is blowing up.
While job openings in hotspots like Atlanta, Chicago, and LA have their appeal, the Indiana Fever job? Well, it’s the shiny new toy that every coach has their eye on. This isn’t just any rebuild; it’s a chance to coach back-to-back No. 1 picks and Rookies of the Year, Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston. Talk about an opportunity to turn a team around!
Here are the top candidates with potential, pizzazz, and maybe just enough guts to take on this once-in-a-lifetime job.
1. Stephanie White: Indiana’s Favorite Comeback Story
They say where there’s smoke, there’s fire. And with Stephanie White, it’s a full-blown bonfire. Rumors have tied her to the Fever since, well, before Sides even left. The fact that White just parted ways with Connecticut is probably no coincidence. Let’s also not forget her Indiana roots. She played at Purdue, spent most of her playing career with the Fever, and even coached the franchise in 2015-16.
But here’s the kicker: White was the 2023 WNBA Coach of the Year. Known for squeezing the very best out of every player on her roster, White could be exactly what the Fever need to reach their potential. She’s a seasoned vet with a knack for turning role players into stars. Fever fans, prepare your foam fingers.
2. Curt Miller: The Rebound King
Curt Miller’s short tenure in Los Angeles didn’t exactly break records, but it did win hearts. Players were genuinely shocked when Miller was let go, and he’s known for being one of the league’s most beloved coaches.
Miller’s seven-year stint with Connecticut saw him leading them to the Finals twice, with playoff appearances each season. The Fever could be banking on his familiarity with Indiana, too, where he led Indiana’s women’s team from 2012-14. Hey, everybody loves a reunion tour, right?
3. Jenny Boucek: Already in the Building?
Boucek might be the underdog pick here, but she’s already got a foot in the door. As an assistant with the Pacers for four seasons, Boucek has built a working relationship with Fever GM Kelly Krauskopf, who moved over from the Pacers herself.
With six seasons of WNBA coaching and eight years as an NBA assistant, Boucek’s blend of experience and the insider advantage could make her a formidable candidate. Who doesn’t love a good ‘work-wife’ duo running a franchise?
4. Cheryl Miller: The Iconic Wildcard
Let’s get one thing straight: Cheryl Miller isn’t just legendary; she’s royalty. And her recent WNBA All-Star coaching gig might have been more than just a cameo. Miller, who coached Clark, Boston, and Kelsey Mitchell at the All-Star Game, already has experience leading the Fever’s top players.
Plus, Miller’s Indiana ties run deep. Her younger brother, Reggie Miller, is, after all, Indiana basketball’s golden child. Though her last full-time coaching role was with Cal State Los Angeles from 2016 to 2019, Miller could bring some serious energy—and Indiana nostalgia—to the Fever.
5. Lisa Bluder: The Long Shot with the Golden Touch
Could Lisa Bluder, Caitlin Clark’s beloved college coach, come out of retirement to coach her protégé one more time? Okay, yes, Bluder has openly denied any interest in jumping back into coaching, but who doesn’t love a good “surprise un-retirement” story? Stranger things have happened, folks. And can you imagine the reunion vibes if Bluder and Clark took on the WNBA together?
So, who’s going to take on this Fever team bursting with potential? With Clark and Boston leading the charge, Indiana might just be the most exciting project in pro basketball. This choice isn’t just about experience or familiarity; it’s about chemistry, grit, and a little bit of WNBA magic.