Not only is Caitlin Clark going to be even better in year two than she was as a rookie, the Indiana Fever look completely different under head coach Stephanie White. Not just in terms of the roster, but the culture.
It is very obvious that the coaching change will make this team an immediate title contender in the WNBA.
Christie Sides was the incumbent head coach of the Fever when Clark arrived to Indiana. She, with help from back-to-back Rookies of the Year, took the team from 13 wins in 2023 to 20 wins and the playoffs in 2024. This is not to discredit her accomplishments!
However, there were multiple instances where either Clark or her teammates were visibly frustrated by their head coach and her questionable play calls during late-game situations. They often played uninspired and stagnant. The organization ultimately decided to move in a different direction.
According to reports, Caitlin Clark was was thrilled.
caitlin cooked christie sides 😭 pic.twitter.com/3TofuvS1eM
— chris (@chrisclxrk) December 12, 2024
Indiana decided to replace Sides with Stephanie White.
White was the WNBA Coach of the Year in 2023. The 47-year-old was actually the first-ever point guard in Fever history back in 2000. Clark is a big fan.
White also hired Fever legend Briann January to her staff. They, together, completely transformed the culture in Indianapolis over the last few months.
Look at how January interacted with Clark during practice earlier this week:
Coach Briann taking care of CC 🥹 pic.twitter.com/uYXUydTBPu
— drafts (@drafts95452567) April 30, 2025
At no point did Sides have that kind of relationship with her star player! It did not take long for January to establish a rapport. The same can be said for White.
Listen to how Aliyah Boston spoke about her new head coach at Media Day:
“Aliyah did you know that 25 years ago was the first Fever team?”
— correlation (@nosyone4) April 30, 2025
AB: “Of course I did. Go Fever.”
“Did you know that Steph was on that team?”
AB: “Yes of course but I didn’t wanna say because now she’s gonna say i’m tryna age her.”
😭😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/J18IngGvxt
She is loose. She is smiling. Clark too!
“Caitlin the inaugural Fever season was 25 years ago..who was the original 22?”
— correlation (@nosyone4) April 30, 2025
CC: “Steph White?”
“Do you know how many ppg she averaged?”
CC: “Putting me on the spot should’ve studied up…8?
“7.2”
CC: “I didn’t wanna lowball her that would be disrespectful.” pic.twitter.com/DjJfbJuRAG
There is a stark contrast in the demeanor of Indiana Fever players when discussing Stephanie White compared to how they spoke about Christie Sides. This staff already created change.