The Indiana Fever made a significant announcement on Sunday, revealing that they have decided to part ways with head coach Christie Sides after two seasons. This decision comes after the team’s recent playoff appearance, led by the standout performance of 2024 No. 1 pick and Rookie of the Year Caitlin Clark.
During Sides’ tenure, the Fever achieved a record of 33-47, with a 20-20 performance in the 2024 season. Unfortunately, Indiana’s playoff journey ended with a two-game sweep in the first round by the Connecticut Sun. Sides took over as head coach in 2022, following Marianne Stanley and interim coach Carlos Knox, but now the team is on the lookout for a new leader.
Despite a challenging start to the 2024 season with a 1-8 record in May, the Fever made significant progress and found their rhythm with Caitlin Clark as their cornerstone player. Between June 1 and September 10, Indiana boasted the third-best record in the league at 18-9, showcasing a strong offensive performance with a league-leading offensive rating of 109.6 points per 100 possessions after the Olympic break.
In a statement, Fever president of basketball operations Kelly Krauskopf expressed gratitude towards Coach Sides for guiding the team through a transitional period and setting a foundation for future success. Krauskopf emphasized the importance of bold decision-making in pursuing the team’s goals, including bringing another WNBA championship to Indiana.
Looking ahead to the 2025 season, the Fever will enter with a fresh coaching staff, including a new head coach, general manager, and president. Alongside Caitlin Clark, the team will also have 2023 Rookie of the Year Aliyah Boston and aims to secure the return of All-Star Kelsey Mitchell in free agency.
The departure of Coach Sides adds Indiana to the list of WNBA teams currently seeking new coaching staff, including the Los Angeles Sparks, Chicago Sky, Atlanta Dream, Dallas Wings, and Washington Mystics. With six of the bottom seven teams in the standings undergoing coaching changes, the upcoming season promises to bring new dynamics and strategies to the league.
