In a move that may surprise few and amuse many, the Indiana Fever decided it was time to part ways with head coach Christie Sides, ending her run just halfway through her contract. Hired to replace Marianne Stanley and her interim substitute, Carlos Knox, Sides came in with hopes as high as Gainbridge Fieldhouse’s rafters. But instead of rising to the challenge, her record of 33-47 over two seasons has become one of the latest chapters in a history of the Fever’s coaching carousel. That’s right—coaches don’t last long here, and Sides was no exception.
Initially pegged to steer the team to glory, Sides delivered an interesting combo of triumph and turbulence. Let’s not ignore her moments of brilliance: she did manage to lead the Fever to the playoffs for the first time since 2016, thanks in no small part to WNBA superstar rookie Caitlin Clark. The No. 1 pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, Clark brought some real spark, helping the Fever pull off a 20-20 season. This feat put them back on the playoff map… only to be swiftly swept by the Connecticut Sun. Goodbye, Cinderella story. Hello, “Why is this happening?” story.
But, as any Fever fan who’s been through the last few seasons knows, the beginning of the season was less “storybook start” and more “tragic comedy.” A 1-9 start had fans scratching their heads and questioning Sides’ tactical skills. Critics pointed out her hesitation to adjust mid-game, resulting in more than a few blown leads. Take the early experiment with Katie Lou Samuelson, who, by all metrics, didn’t mesh with the Fever’s style. It took Sides an eyebrow-raising 15 games to realize this, making her adjustments feel more like stubborn persistence than strategic foresight.
Then there was the roster roulette. NaLyssa Smith kept getting the nod in tough matchups that saw her up against heavyweights like the Connecticut Sun. Unfortunately, Smith’s tenacity couldn’t overcome Connecticut’s towering presence, and Fever faithful were left wondering why a seasoned player like Tami Fagbenle was gathering dust on the bench. Not that it would’ve necessarily changed the outcome—but hey, it’s all about the optics, right?
One bright spot? Sides’ post-Olympic decision to crank up the team’s pace. Only thing was, this adjustment seemed to come a bit too late to save the season. With several earlier games that could have been victories instead turning into losses, the Fever’s postseason dreams withered before they could fully blossom. And as much as fans were excited about that playoff spot, let’s face it: one round was all they got.
After the news broke of her release, Sides took to social media with a parting message: “Leave it better than you found it. ✌🏼” It’s safe to say that her time with the Fever had some ups and downs, but the “better” might be up for debate. Now, the Fever’s future remains in limbo, with names like former Dallas Wings coach Latricia Trammel and Connecticut Sun’s Stephanie White being tossed around as potential candidates. And while Sides may not have found the success she aimed for, the Fever faithful can only hope her replacement brings more than just a good catchphrase.
Only time will tell who’s next to sit in the Fever’s hot seat—but with this revolving door, it’s bound to be a short stay.