Indiana Fever fans fawn over Stephanie White as Caitlin Clark's new mentor

The Indiana Fever know that they can't waste a single second of Caitlin Clark's prime in the WNBA. They made a swift move at the end of the 2024 season with this motivation in mind.

The franchise parted ways with Christie Sides after leading the Fever to a 20-20 record in the regular season and helping them reach the playoffs for the first time since 2016.

In a statement by the Indiana Fever, Kelly Krauskopf, the President of Basketball Operations, said: "We are incredibly thankful to Coach Sides for embracing the challenge of leading us through an integral transition period over the last two seasons while also positioning us well for future growth."

Want to see more like this? Follow us here for daily sports news, profiles and analysis!

"While decisions like these are never easy, it is also imperative that we remain bold and assertive in pursuing our goals, which include maximizing our talent and bringing another WNBA championship back to Indiana."

Despite Clark breaking the rookie three-point record and the WNBA assists record and winning the Rookie of the Year award, fans throughout the season questioned whether Sides was the right coach to maximise Clark's potential.

According to ESPN, Clark averaged 19.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, and a league-high 8.4 assists, but the phenomenal talent of Caitlin Clark has got another gear she can reach in the WNBA.

After taking the Connecticut Suns to a record of 28 wins and 12 losses in the regular season and narrowly losing 3-2 in the WNBA playoff semi-finals to the Minnesota Lynx, Stephanie White was relieved of her duties by the Sun.

With White becoming available for the Indiana Fever, many WNBA fans have been excited by the combination of her and Caitlin Clark leading the franchise.

According to the Irish Star, one fan said, "Sides was unfairly maligned and actually did a really good job and ran a great offense last year. But I don't know how you can blame the Fever for wanting an upgrade if Stephanie White is available."

Another said: "Stephanie White isn't a slow paced half court setting type of coach. She had to adapt to the skill set provided. She's a phenomenal coach and can work with what she is given. If she does come to the Indiana Fever, they are in good hands."

Want to see more like this? Follow us here for daily sports news, profiles and analysis!

This season, Clark has showcased her elite vision and shooting capabilities. Under a coach who plays a fast-paced offense, the superstar will find it easier to find open players in transition and score easier baskets.

More fans continued the persistent notion that this would be an upgrade for the Fever: "She's going to take that team to the next level; it's a perfect hire for them," said one fan. "Yep, pretty much how I feel about it. If that's the hire, it is an upgrade," said another.

White already has a solid connection to the Indiana Fever as a player and coach, playing four years in the WNBA for the Fever and being an assistant coach on the Fever team that won the 2012 WNBA Championship.

She secured a promotion to head coach in the 2015 season and guided the Indiana Fever to back-to-back WNBA Finals appearances before leaving at the end of the 2016 season.

In her latest job with the Connecticut Sun, she was awarded the 2023 WNBA Coach of the Year and picked as a WNBA All-Star Game head coach.

Her history and accolades are why so many fans are adamant that she is the right coach to take the Fever and Caitlin Clark to the next level.

Want to see more like this? Follow us here for daily sports news, profiles and analysis!

White talked on the Coaching U podcast in December 2024 about her initial interactions with Clark. "Just having general basketball conversations about what she's watching, what she likes, what some of her thoughts are from not just what the Indiana Fever have done, but from the game of basketball in general."