In a surprising turn of events, former Indiana Fever Head Coach Christie Sides, who led the franchise through five challenging seasons in the WNBA, has publicly addressed current Fever Head Coach Stephanie White in a message that’s gaining traction across the basketball community.
Now serving as Senior Basketball Consultant for the Indiana Fever, Sides took to social media late Tuesday night to share her thoughts following the team’s recent back-to-back losses that have pushed them out of playoff contention.
> “This franchise means everything to me,” Sides wrote. “I poured five years into building a culture of discipline, resilience, and pride. I hope those values are still alive in that locker room. Coach White, you have the reins now—don’t let what we built slip away.”
While the message was respectful, it has sparked debate among fans and analysts alike, with some interpreting it as a veiled criticism of White’s recent coaching decisions, particularly her use of rookie phenom Aliyah Boston in crunch-time situations.
Stephanie White, who previously coached the Fever from 2014–2016 and returned to the helm in 2024, has yet to respond publicly. However, team insiders report that she addressed the team privately this morning, emphasizing unity and refocusing on fundamentals ahead of their next matchup against the Washington Mystics.
Christie Sides’ deep ties to the organization and her current role as a consultant make the message even more significant. It is rare for a front-office advisor to directly address coaching strategy, especially during the heat of a season.
Fever General Manager Lin Dunn released a brief statement this afternoon:
> “We value all voices within our Fever family. Christie Sides continues to be a respected figure in this organization. Coach White has our full support as we move forward.”
This developing story adds another layer of drama to an already turbulent season for the Fever, who are currently fighting to stay above the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings.
More updates to follow a
s this story develops.
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