In a plot twist that’s straight out of a Hollywood script, the Indiana Fever have lured hometown hero Stephanie White back to lead their team. It seems White just can’t quit Indiana. The franchise announced Friday that the former Purdue star and longtime Fever figurehead will be taking over as head coach for the second time, because, apparently, one stint wasn’t enough.
White’s journey back to the Fever is reminiscent of a soap opera reunion—full of nostalgia, a sprinkle of drama, and the promise of new beginnings. Having spent the last two seasons coaching the Connecticut Sun (where she racked up a cool 55-25 record and two consecutive semifinals appearances), White’s return to Indiana feels like the Fever are trying to recapture that early 2000s magic—when “friends” was still must-see TV and White was part of the team’s inaugural roster. Cue the montage of fever dreams, championship hopes, and some serious side-eye from Connecticut fans.
“I am incredibly proud and honored to return home to Indiana,” White said in a statement, undoubtedly while surrounded by vintage Larry Bird posters and copies of Hoosiers. “This franchise has and always will be committed to winning, and I look forward to helping deliver another WNBA title to the greatest basketball fans in the world.”
A bit on the nose, but sure, let’s go with that.
Of course, White isn’t walking into a sleepy little situation. She’s inheriting a Fever team that suddenly feels like a kid who just learned to ride a bike without training wheels and is speeding downhill with no brakes. Their franchise centerpiece? Oh, just Caitlin freaking Clark, the WNBA Rookie of the Year, certified shooting goddess, and the player every defender has nightmares about. Not to mention Aliyah Boston, last year’s Rookie of the Year, who’s out to prove that two back-to-back number one picks can coexist without the world imploding.
If White thought coaching Vanderbilt for five seasons was tough, she’s about to find out what it’s like to manage Clark’s Steph Curry-like range, Boston’s unstoppable post game, and the biggest fan expectations Indiana’s seen since Tamika Catchings was tearing it up. At least she’s coming back to a team that led the league in attendance, averaging over 17,000 fans per game, thanks in no small part to the Caitlin Clark hype train. For reference, that’s more than the typical Pacers crowd. Yes, you read that right.
White, who previously served as the Fever’s head coach from 2014 to 2016, will now try to drag Indiana back to the WNBA Promised Land. And by “promised land,” we mean their first title since 2012, which might as well be ancient history at this point. While Fever fans still fondly recall that time period, White’s task is simple: win, and do it while keeping the Clark-Boston duo intact and firing on all cylinders. No pressure.
In an interview on ESPN’s NBA Today, White sounded like a coach who’s been binge-watching Clark’s college highlights for years. “I have been watching Caitlin play since she was in eighth grade,” White said, clearly invoking some serious scouting commitment (or borderline obsession). “She’s just someone who loves the game and wants to win. I’m excited to coach players like that and this young team.”
Translation: “I can’t wait to not get burned by one of those 40-foot buzzer-beaters in practice.”
White takes over from Christie Sides, who heroically steered the Fever to a 20-20 record last season—yes, that’s Fever and playoff berth in the same sentence for the first time since 2016. But, like all good things in the WNBA, a .500 season wasn’t enough to save Sides from being shown the door.
White’s hire is just the latest in a frenzy of Fever front-office activity, with Amber Cox stepping in as COO and GM, and Kelly Krauskopf running the show as the new president of basketball operations. It’s all part of a massive overhaul to take advantage of Indiana’s shiny new star power and the rabid fanbase that’s suddenly filling seats like it’s March Madness every night.
So, can White pull it off? Will she be the one to turn this Fever dream into reality? Or is she just the latest coach to get caught in the crosshairs of Caitlin Clark’s endless barrage of half-court bombs? Either way, the Fever are back on the map, and it’s going to be one wild ride in 2025.
If nothing else, at least Indiana can say they’re winning the offseason coaching shuffle. As for winning actual games? Well, let’s just say White’s success might hinge on whether anyone can stop Clark from raining threes on her own team during scrimmages. Stay tuned!
