What is Stephanie White looking forward to as the new head coach of the WNBA’s Indiana Fever? On Friday night, she answered that question.
Friday was a busy day for White. Hours after White was announced as the Fever’s new head coach, she was on the call as an analyst for ESPN’s Friday night broadcast of the NBA game between the Orlando Magic and Cleveland Cavaliers. In the second quarter of Cleveland’s win, play-by-play man Ryan Ruocco brought up Clark’s new job.
“What are you most looking forward to with this opportunity in Indiana? Obviously you get to coach Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston, Kelsey Mitchell — and you’re back where you grew up. You’re back home,” Ruocco said.
“Yeah, I think there are so many things,” White said. “First and foremost, it is home. Right? This is a franchise that’s a part of my DNA. A player there, coached there, was a part of a championship there, certainly. Working with [team president] Kelly Krauskopf. Working with [general manager] Lin Dunn again. And then this exciting, young roster at such a pivotal moment in women’s basketball and the WNBA history. It’s — 25 years ago, when I initially joined the WNBA — it’s what I have always envisioned this league being. And to be able to do it at home is just really special.”
“This exciting, young roster at such a pivotal moment in women’s basketball and WNBA history. 25 years ago, when I initially joined the WNBA, it’s what I have always envisioned this league being.”
Stephanie White discusses becoming head coach of the WNBA’s Indiana Fever. pic.twitter.com/eE1lfa6Ouv
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) November 1, 2024
“We’re all looking forward to you coaching that team and watching you on the sidelines come May,” Ruocco replied.
Indiana is very much home for White. She attended Seeger Memorial Junior-Senior High School in West Lebanon, Indiana then went to Purdue. White then entered the WNBA in 1999 and, after playing one season with the now-defunct Charlotte Sting, played the rest of her WNBA career with the Fever, playing through the 2004 season. She was on the coaching staff for the Fever when they won the WNBA title in 2012, then served as the head coach for the 2015 and 2016 seasons. Her first head coaching tenure in Indiana included a trip to the WNBA Finals in 2015.
In four seasons as a WNBA head coach (two with the Fever, two with the Connecticut Sun), White has a record of 92-56.
[Photo Credit: ESPN]
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