The Fever must make bold move if former head coach becomes available

The Indiana Fever just finished a historic season where they shattered attendance records, led the W in viewership, and returned to the playoffs for the first time since 2016. Caitlin Clark’s record-breaking season was the catalyst. She won Rookie of the Year in a landslide and brought millions of new viewers to the game. The 22-year-old finished fourth in MVP voting and is just getting started.

Indiana wants to build a title-contending roster around Clark. They have already revamped their front office with Kelly Krauskopf returning to run things. She was the architect of their run with Tamika Catchings and has a blueprint for how to win. The Fever also brought in a new GM and reassigned the legendary Lin Dunn to an advisory role.

There will be roster upgrades this offseason, but Indiana cannot stop there. Christie Sides helped the franchise return to the playoffs, but they were bounced in the first round. The Fever may have a shot to bring back a former player and coach. If so, the new front office should make a bold move.

Fever should hire Stephanie White if she becomes available

White is currently the head coach of the Connecticut Sun where she has gone 55-25 over the last two seasons and made two trips to the WNBA semifinals. The 47-year-old is one of the best coaches in the league and has a history with the Fever.

White was traded to Indiana ahead of their inaugural season in 2000. She was a role player on the Fever for four seasons and helped them build into a contender before retiring to go into coaching. White was an assistant in the NCAA ranks to start. She returned to the W in 2007 to join the Chicago Sky. White left for another stint with the Fever. She spent four years as an assistant coach before taking over the lead job in 2015.

Indiana made the WNBA Finals in year one under White and lost a heartbreaking five-game series to the Minnesota Lynx. They made the playoffs in her second season, but Tamika Catchings decided to retire in 2016. White left to be the head coach at Vanderbilt where she spent five years before returning to the W.

There was a report that White won’t return to coach the Sun next season. If true, she will be one of the hottest names on the market. White never missed the playoffs as a head coach and has won four playoff series in four years. Her history with Krauskopf and the Fever make her the ideal fit to return to Indiana, but it would take multiple bold moves.

Christie Sides brought this team together after a 1-8 start. It is fair to question her tactics, including playing Clark off the ball for long stretches in the playoff, but the Fever improved under her leadership. White would be an upgrade, but Indiana risks upsetting their players. It is a bold move to fire Sides and bring on White, but it may be the thing that pushes into serious contention.

The Indiana Fever should be all-in. That means getting the best coach available for their roster. Kelly Krauskopf has another generational talent in Caitlin Clark. Will Stephanie White return and lead the Fever to another WNBA Finals? It could happen if the franchise is willing to be bold and shoot their shot.