Stephanie White talks about her conversation with Caitlin Clark on the night before she was appointed as Indiana Fever coach

Indiana Fever officially announced Stephanie White as their new head coach on Friday, following several reports that she would be joining the squad. As the team prepares to contend for a title soon, White, the 2023 WNBA Coach of the Year, was formally named the Fever's 2025 head coach.

Shortly after the news was released, White told ESPN's Malika Andrews that she was thrilled to be going back to Indiana. As it happens, White isn't the only one excited to be joining the squad. It seems that White had a conversation with Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark on Thursday evening before the organization formally announced her appointment. 

"I spoke with Caitlin last night, and I think it's just overall excitement," White responded after being asked if she had a chance to speak with Clark before the announcement. "I have been watching Caitlin play since she was an eighth grader when I was coaching at the college realm and covering her games in college. 

As the current Rookie of the Year reacted to the team's Instagram announcement, Caitlin Clark also expressed her thoughts about the Fever's new coach. Clark guided the Fever to their first WNBA playoff participation since 2016 during her debut season. For the first time since 2015, Indiana concluded the season with a 20–20 record. 

The organization's most recent significant move as they start a new era is White's arrival in Indiana. The franchise hired Amber Cox as the new general manager and COO earlier in the offseason, and Kelly Krauskopf as the new president.

Stephanie White previous worked with Indiana Fever 

White has been the head coach of the Connecticut Sun for the last two seasons. In 2023, she was named Coach of the Year after guiding her club to a 27–13 record. White brings a long WNBA career to the table. She had time with the Chicago Sky, Connecticut Sun, and Fever throughout her 20 years as a player or coach in the league. White was a member of the Fever's coaching staff after playing with the team from 2000 to 2004. From 2011 to 2014, she served as the Fever's assistant coach. From 2015 to 2016, she was the team's head coach.