"Championship bound" - Fans react as Indiana Fever re-hire Stephanie White eyeing title in Caitlin Clark's second year

By Amlan Sanyal

Modified Nov 01, 2024 17:12 GMT

The Indiana Fever have rehired coach Stephanie White, replacing Christie Sides who was fired last week. The Caitlin Clark-led franchise made the WNBA playoffs last year, ending an eight-year playoff drought.

Fans took to X (formerly Twitter) to express their excitement at the 47-year-old head coach's hiring, who is considered one of the most astute tacticians in the WNBA and has been the favorite to get the Fever job since Sides' axing.

Here's how Fever fans reacted:

"Championship bound" - reacted an optimistic fan

"We knew she was heading there" - Reacted another fan

The 2023 Coach of the Year is known for her defensive coaching prowess and fans seemed encouraged that this could catapult the Fever into the echelon of championship contenders.

"Ho-ly smokes, folks. Clark's gonna learn defense" - Reacted one fan

"They need defensive minded players" - Echoed another fan

"Team will be prepared and play hard every possession. The Fever mean business." - Said another fan

With White's hiring, Fever fans seemed optimistic about their title prospects next season in year two of Caitlin Clark's Fever career and the third year for fellow Rookie of the Year Aliyah Boston.

"At last. We're winning it all next year" - Said one fan

Stephanie White previously coached the Fever between 2015 and 2016, finishing with a 37-31 overall record and a 6-6 record in the postseason.

Most recently, White coached the Connecticut Sun in the WNBA from 2023 to 2024, compiling a 55-25 record. White and the Sun parted ways on October 28, following two consecutive playoff semifinal losses.

Stephanie White hoping to deliver WNBA title to Indiana Fever

The Indiana Fever have not been serious title contenders for a long time, having last won in 2012. White, expressed her excitement at getting to work with Caitlin Clark and co. and described Fever fans as the "greatest basketball fans in the world."

“I am incredibly proud and honored to return home to Indiana and lead the Fever during such a pivotal moment in this franchise’s history, as well as during such an important time throughout women’s athletics,” said White. “This franchise has and always will be committed to winning and I look forward to working every day to help deliver another WNBA title to the greatest basketball fans in the world.”

Even before serving as head coach between 2015-2016, Stephanie White had been engaged in the role of assistant coach between 2011-2014.