The Indiana Fever have fired head coach Christie Sides after two seasons in charge and a past comment from Caitlin Clark revealed the unexpected reality of playing under her
(Image: Getty Images)
Sides has been sacked by the team following a season with an even 20-20 record but an early playoff exit. The coach ends her tenure with a 33-47 overall record over two seasons, despite guiding No. 1 draft pick Clark to a standout rookie year.
The 22-year-old will now face new leadership in her sophomore WNBA year. Back in June, Clark’s admission that she gets very little on-court help during games stunned fans and ignited concerns over Sides’ ability as a coach.
Asked about the best piece of in-game advice she has received, she cryptically said: “Nobody gives me advice in game. I wish.” Her answer disturbed some of the Fever faithful who then believed the 47-year-old was not influencing games, and that basketball sensation Clark was not being mentored how she should be.
Fever president of basketball operations Kelly Krauskopf has since spoken about the decision to relieve Sides of her duties. Krauskopf also claimed it was a hard choice to make.
“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,” she said.
“While decisions like these are never easy, it is also imperative that we remain bold and assertive in the pursuit of our goals, which include maximizing our talent and bringing another WNBA championship back to Indiana.
“Coach Sides was an incredible representative of the Fever and our community, and we wish her nothing but success in the future.”
(Image: Photo by Chris Marion/NBAE via Getty Images)
Despite Sides’ departure coming as a shock after the Fever’s late-season surge and finishing third in the Eastern Conference, they struggled in the playoffs, being decisively beaten in two games by the Connecticut Sun.
The successor to Sides will be taking over a gifted young team led by All-WNBA point guard Clark and the promising second-year talent, Aliyah Boston. Stephanie White, the current head coach of Sun, has unexpectedly emerged as a potential candidate for the next head coach in Indiana.
The Chicago Sun-Times reports that White has been in discussions with both the Fever and the Chicago Sky about stepping in for the upcoming season. Despite being under contract until 2025, the opportunity to coach a rising star like Clark might be too tempting for White to resist.
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