Caitlin Clark is poised to play under a new head coach as she enters her second season in the WNBA, and all signs suggest that the Indiana Fever are closing in on hiring Stephanie White. White, currently coaching the Connecticut Sun, is expected to make a highly anticipated return to Indianapolis, where she once held a successful head coaching tenure.
The Fever’s ongoing search has been dynamic, but White has emerged as the front-runner for the position, and her departure from Connecticut could be finalized in the coming days.
White’s connection to the Indiana Fever is both deep-rooted and extensive. She began her WNBA career as a player in 1999 with the Charlotte Sting before joining Indiana through the 2000 expansion draft, playing four seasons with the organization.
She later returned to the Fever in 2015 as head coach, guiding them to a 20-win season and a WNBA Finals appearance in her first year and securing a playoff berth in her second.
Although she left for a collegiate coaching position at Vanderbilt in 2016, White returned to the WNBA with the Sun in 2023, where she led Connecticut to back-to-back franchise-record wins and two consecutive semifinal appearances.
In addition to her successful track record, White has expressed high regard for Clark, previously telling fans to “chill out” when Clark’s rookie season began with a few struggles. Her confidence in Clark’s potential adds an extra layer of appeal to her potential reunion with the Fever.
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The Fever have a strong incentive to bring White back, especially following their recent front-office restructuring. Indiana reappointed Kelly Krauskopf, the architect of the Fever’s original success, as team president in September. Krauskopf, who first appointed White as head coach in 2015, shares a longstanding relationship with her and is eager to restore the Fever’s prominence with a coach she trusts.
White’s potential leadership would position Indiana with a highly experienced coach to mentor a young, promising roster that includes Clark, back-to-back Rookie of the Year honoree, and Kelsey Mitchell.
While White remains under contract with Connecticut through 2025, she has reportedly been exploring other opportunities, including positions with both the Fever and the Chicago Sky, who are also seeking new leadership for their rosters filled with emerging talent.
However, as noted by Chicago Sun-Times reporter Annie Costabile, Indiana is currently the frontrunner in the pursuit of White, and an agreement appears imminent.
If White joins the Fever, Clark would benefit from playing under a seasoned coach with a proven 92-56 WNBA record, potentially fast-tracking Indiana’s rebuilding journey.
Fans are watching closely, as White’s return to the Fever could mark the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the franchise and for Caitlin Clark’s budding WNBA career.
