The Indiana Fever have had an eventful offseason, beginning with the decision to part ways with head coach Christie Sides on October 27. Under Sides’ leadership, the team posted a 20-20 record in 2024 and a 33-47 record over the course of two seasons. The Fever quickly moved to hire Stephanie White, the former head coach of the Connecticut Sun, as their new head coach on November 1. White’s arrival marked the beginning of a new chapter for the team, and one of her first major tasks was to assemble a strong coaching staff to support the Fever, especially as they look forward to Caitlin Clark’s second season in the WNBA.
White made her mark by retaining assistant coach Karima Christmas-Kelly, who had been part of Sides’ staff, while also bringing in Austin Kelly as a new addition to the coaching team. Austin Kelly joins the Fever after two successful seasons with the Connecticut Sun, where the team reached the WNBA Semifinals both years. His connection with White dates back to 2019 when he served as the Director of Recruiting under White at Vanderbilt. Kelly’s coaching experience also includes stints as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at the University of Texas Arlington’s women’s basketball program and a graduate assistant role with Georgia Tech’s women’s basketball team.
The decision to keep Christmas-Kelly while adding Kelly signals White’s desire to blend familiarity with fresh perspectives as she takes charge of the Fever. This combination of experienced coaching talent will provide crucial support as Caitlin Clark prepares for her sophomore season. Clark, whose breakout rookie year garnered significant attention, will look to build on her impressive performance and lead the Fever to even greater success in 2025.
The changes within the Fever organization are part of a broader effort to retool the team, and the coaching staff plays a vital role in shaping the future. With White at the helm and a seasoned staff in place, the Fever are positioning themselves for an exciting season ahead. The addition of Kelly is expected to bring valuable expertise, particularly in the areas of recruiting and player development, which will help to maximize the potential of players like Clark.
As the team prepares for a new season, the hiring of new coaching staff members and the retention of familiar faces demonstrate the Fever’s commitment to evolving and achieving greater success. Caitlin Clark’s second season will be a key moment in the team’s journey, and with the backing of a strong coaching staff, expectations are high for what’s to come.
