Stephanie White leaves Sun amid link to being Caitlin Clark’s next coach with Fever

Stephanie White is out as coach of the Connecticut Sun, potentially setting the stage for her to take over the job in Indiana. 

The team announced the decision on Monday and Sun president Jen Rizzotti told ESPN that the two sides “parted on good terms because some of [White’s] decision-making process was not just about basketball.” 

White had led the Sun for two seasons, coaching them to a 55-25 record over that span and helped the Sun make two appearances in the semifinals. 

In 2023, she also took home WNBA Coach of the Year honors. 

“It’s not an easy decision to leave Connecticut, but I think the best one for my family and my career,” White said to ESPN.

She added: “This has not been easy. But certainly, at the end of the day, it’s tough for me being away from my family. So from a professional standpoint and a personal standpoint, I feel like it’s the best decision.”

Speculation has ramped up that White would end up coaching the Fever, which she coached previously in 2015 and ’16. 

The Chicago Sun-Times reported on Sunday that the Fever had been eyeing White for their vacant coaching position after they let Christie Sides go despite helping to lead Indiana into the postseason. 

Interestingly enough, White’s family resides a mere 1.5 hours away from Indianapolis in West Lebanon, Indiana, the IndyStar’s Chloe Peterson reported. 

And fans recalled a stark defense of Fever superstar Caitlin Clark early in the WNBA season. 

“When I’m looking at all these things that people are talking about with Caitlin Clark, it’s like, guys, chill out,” White said at the time, according to Sports Illustrated. “She’s gonna be fine. It’s two games in, are you kidding me? She’s a student of the game, she got better every year, you’re not going to just absorb all of the new information that’s coming at you in two games, in two weeks. It takes time. And she will. I have no doubt about it.”