Stephanie White fired by Connecticut Sun despite WNBA semifinal run: Reports

Following a deep 2024 playoff run, the Connecticut Sun decided to part ways with coach Stephanie White on Monday. White led the team to the semifinal round in the last two seasons. She only coached the team for two seasons, going a combined 55-25.

In her first year with the Sun, she was voted the 2023 WNBA and AP Coach of the Year. This season, Connecticut fell to the Minnesota Lynx in the semifinals.

The organization's president, Jen Rizzotti, released a statement after the decision.

"We want to thank Stephanie for her time in Connecticut and her commitment to our organization over the past two seasons. We wish her the best in her future endeavors," Rizzotti said in a sta.

Rizzotti also said, via ESPN, that the organization parted ways with the coach on good terms. The president told the publication that "some of White's decision-making process wasn't about basketball."

"It's not an easy decision to leave Connecticut, but I think the best one for my family and my career," White said in a statement. "It's meant a lot to me – I'm so grateful to Jen and the organization. It's a top-notch organization. For me to be able to return to coaching – which I didn't know if it would be possible – with such a great team and coaching staff, it's meant a lot to me.

"So 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."

---

Stephanie White will reportedly be new coach of the Indiana Fever

Much like Stephanie White's former team, the Indiana Fever is looking for a new coach. The Fever parted ways with former coach Christie Sides on Sunday after she led the team to a 20-20 record. Much like White, Sides only spent two seasons with the team before she was let go.

WNBA insider Annie Costabile reported on Sunday that White might be hired as Sides' replacement.

During Caitlin Clark's debut in the league, she had a hard time adjusting to the pace of the game and was criticized by many. White was someone who stood up and defended the star guard.