After Angel Reese, Caitlin Clark’s head coach too parts ways with WNBA franchise after first-round exit

Indiana Fever have parted ways with coach Christie Sides after two seasons, despite the team's first playoff berth since 2016.

After Angel Reese, Caitlin Clark’s head coach too parts ways with WNBA franchise after first-round exit

Christie Sides fired by the Indiana Fever

The WNBA firing spring ushered in a new victim as the Indiana Fever made a surprising move by firing head coach Christie Sides after just two seasons. Despite leading the team to their first playoff berth since 2016, Sides was let go on Sunday.

Furthermore, the Fever which was led by rookie of the year Caitlin Clark, finished the 2024 season with a 20-20 record. And under Sides, they started the 2024 season with a poor 1-8 record in May, but eventually found their identity and boasted the third-best record in the league from June 1 to September 10.

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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. While decisions like these are never easy, it is also imperative that we remain bold and assertive in the pursuit of our goals.

Indiana Fever President of Basketball Operations Kelly Krauskopf said in a statement

Also, the team’s offensive rating was the best in the league after the Olympic break. However, their season ended with a two-game sweep in the first round of the playoffs by the Connecticut Sun.

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The Fever will now enter the 2025 season with a new head coach, general manager, and president. As a result, they join the ranks of five other WNBA teams with a head-coach opening, including Angel Reese’s Chicago Sky, Los Angeles Sparks, Atlanta Dream, Dallas Wings, and Washington Mystics.

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Stephanie White favored to replace Christie Sides as Indiana Fever Head Coach

As the news trickled in of the Indiana Fever’s decision to part ways with head coach Christie Sides which may have come as a shock to fans, given the team’s strong second half of the season. It appears that the Fever may have already identified a replacement, with Sun head coach Stephanie White emerging as the favorite to take over.

The Connecticut Suns’ coach has a deep connection to the Fever organization, as she played for the team from 2000 to 2004 and served as an assistant coach from 2011 to 2014. She grew up in the state and attended high school in West Lebanon.

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However, as a coach, she is known for her defensive prowess, which could help address the Fever’s struggles on that end of the court last season. With the opportunity to coach the previous two Rookie of the Years – Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston, White may be tempted to leave the Sun and join the Fever.