The Indiana Fever announced the appointment of Stephanie White as their new head coach on Friday, a decision that had been anticipated for several weeks.

White, aged 47, has been the head coach of the Connecticut Sun for the past two seasons. She received the title of 2023 WNBA Coach of the Year and served as a coach for the All-Star Game in 2023. Under her leadership, the Sun reached the semifinals in consecutive years, achieving a regular-season record of 55 wins and 25 losses, along with a postseason record of 7 wins and 7 losses.

“I feel immensely proud and privileged to return to Indiana and take charge of the Fever at such a crucial time in this franchise’s journey, as well as during a significant period for women’s sports,” White stated.

id in a release. “This franchise has always been dedicated to winning, and I’m eager to contribute daily towards securing another WNBA championship for the most passionate basketball fans out there.”

White served as an assistant coach for the Fever in 2012 when Indiana claimed its sole WNBA title.

Kelly Krauskopf, president of basketball operations for the Fever, remarked that White is “woven into the fabric of this franchise, both as a former player and as part of our championship coaching team.”

With her impressive basketball intelligence and strong leadership abilities, I am convinced that no one understands our culture better or is more capable of guiding our players to greater heights.

Taking charge of the 2025 Fever, White will have the opportunity to work with one of the most thrilling athletes in the sports world, 2024 Rookie of the Year Clark. Alongside 2023 rookie of the year Aliyah Boston, they form a dynamic duo.

A talented scorer and playmaker, who has significantly contributed to the rising popularity of the WNBA. The Fever boast a solid foundation with players like Clark and Boston, and retaining Kelsey Mitchell—who is currently an unrestricted free agent—will be a key focus this offseason.

White takes over from Christie Sides, who was let go on October 27.

On October 28, the Sun announced they had mutually agreed to part ways with White, suggesting a friendly split. Reports indicated that the Fever were in talks with White regarding a coaching position in Indianapolis while she also considered staying in Connecticut.

On October 29, White expressed to ESPN.com that his decision to leave Connecticut was challenging, but ultimately he believed it was the right choice for his family and career. He shared his deep appreciation for Jen Rizzotti and the Connecticut Sun organization, highlighting its high quality. White emphasized the significance of being able to return to coaching, something he wasn’t sure would happen, especially with such an excellent team and coaching staff. He acknowledged the difficulty of being away from his family and mentioned that this impacted him both professionally and personally.

White expressed excitement about his return, stating, “I believe this is the best choice.”

Indiana holds a special place for White. A native of the state and a graduate of Purdue in 1999, he previously served as head coach for the Fever during 2015 and 2016. Under his leadership, the team achieved a record of 37 wins and 31 losses, reaching the WNBA Finals in 2015 where they faced off against the Minnesota Lynx, and competing in the playoffs again in 2016 but exiting after the first round. Additionally, White was also a player for the Fever from 2000 to 2004.

This chance to come back to Indiana is…

Indiana officially parted ways with Sides after two seasons, ending with a record of 33 wins and 47 losses. Following a rough start with just one win in nine games, Sides managed to guide the Fever back to the playoffs for the first time since 2016, though they were eliminated by the Sun in the first round.

In addition to her role with the Fever, White serves as a college basketball analyst for ESPN and had previously called some games featuring Clark during her time at Iowa.

Prior to their season opener against Connecticut on May 24, Clark shared her thoughts about the then-coach of the Sun.

“She has been involved in many of my college games, and I really admire her basketball insights,” Clark mentioned. “She’s excelled in calling college matches, and it’s exciting to see her now on NBA broadcasts. Clearly, she has pioneered this field and has been a great supporter of my game.”