Stephanie White, the Indiana Fever’s head coach and Caitlin Clark’s newest mentor, isn’t just acing her basketball strategies—she’s building bridges across Indiana’s sports landscape. In a delightful twist of coincidence (and maybe fate), Angela Berry White, another sports veteran with a similarly illustrious surname, has taken up the reins as head coach of the IU Indianapolis Jaguars women’s soccer team.
Indiana, home of rabid basketball fans and a state where the roundball rules supreme, might just have to make room for some soccer swagger. But let’s not kid ourselves; basketball isn’t ceding its throne any time soon—especially not with Stephanie White orchestrating plays for one of the WNBA’s most electrifying stars, Caitlin Clark.
Yet, Stephanie, ever the team player, has warmly welcomed Angela to the neighborhood with an Instagram shoutout. Sporting the enthusiasm of someone who has just found out their favorite coffee shop opened a branch next door, Stephanie posted:
“Great to have Coach White down the street! Congrats, my friend!”
Talk about a power play in mutual admiration! While Stephanie steers the Fever with poise and purpose, Angela embarks on her first head-coaching gig with the Jaguars. Indiana sports fans are in for a treat, as these two coaches lead from their respective sidelines, proving that White really is the color of winning leadership.
Angela’s coaching roots run deep in Indiana, starting with Butler Bulldogs before stints with the Hoosiers and a tenure at Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School. Now, as the head coach of the Jaguars, she’s swapping her assistant coach clipboard for the main spotlight.
Meanwhile, Stephanie’s own story has come full circle. Once a player for the Indiana Fever, then an assistant coach, and now the head coach for the second time, she’s basically the Fever’s version of a boomerang—always coming back, but with a sharper edge. Her recent stint with the Connecticut Sun saw her lead the team to back-to-back playoff semifinals. Yet, the pull of family—and perhaps a bit of Hoosier nostalgia—brought her home.
“It’s tough being away from family,” Stephanie told ESPN’s Alexa Philippou, sounding every bit like someone who’s just realized no championship ring beats a home-cooked Sunday dinner.
Her return is a win-win for the Fever and their fans. Stephanie inherits a team anchored by Caitlin Clark, a player so electric she could probably power the Indiana grid if given the chance. With Clark’s star power and Stephanie’s tactical prowess, the Fever are poised to heat things up in the WNBA.
As for Angela, her Jaguars debut might come with some challenges, but let’s not underestimate a coach who’s cut her teeth in Indiana’s fiercely competitive soccer scene. If her history is any indication, she’ll whip the Jaguars into a formidable squad quicker than you can say “goal!”
While basketball will always dominate Indiana’s sports heart, these two Whites prove there’s plenty of room for other hues of athletic excellence. Together, they’re raising the game—one court, one field, and one epic Instagram post at a time.
Now, the big question: Is Indiana ready for double the White-hot coaching brilliance? Stay tuned—this is a story worth following.
