WNBA Rumors: Coach Stephanie White reportedly eyeing Connecticut Sun exit after crushing postseason loss

After a Game 5 elimination against the Minnesota Lynx, Connecticut Sun coach Stephanie White is reportedly not returning to the team next season. The team played at a high level again, finishing third in the WNBA standings behind 2024 finalists New York Liberty and Lynx.

According to Annie Costabile of the Chicago Sun-Times, White is on her way out of the Sun after another early playoff exit. This decision would open the door for the Chicago Sky to pursue the 2023 WNBA Coach of the Year.

"Stephanie White isn't expected to return to coach the Sun in 2025. To attract White, who will be highly sought after in available, the Sky would have to be willing to spend money like the Mercury and the Aces," Costabile reports, per Vanshay Murdock on X/Twitter.

Following a tumultuous season with Teresa Weatherspoon at the helm, the Chicago Sky ended up missing out on the 2024 WNBA playoffs after the Atlanta Dream snatched the eighth seed in the standings in the final days of the regular season.

The Sun were one of the most consistent teams in the league, but couldn't get the job done against the Minnesota Lynx in the second round of the postseason. Despite adding Marina Mabrey ahead of the All-Star break, they were unable to make it to the finals for the second consecutive season after losing the 2022 edition.

White could make the Sky a competitive team, but as Costabile said, they need to spend money to attract high-profile players and build around Angel Reese.

Stephanie White has coached Chicago Sky in the past

After finishing her five-year career as a player in 2003, Stephanie White started her coaching journey. She joined the Chicago Sky in 2010 and stayed there for three years as an assistant coach.

She then joined the Indiana Fever as an assistant, winning the 2012 WNBA championship. White spent two seasons as the Fever head coach from 2015 through 2016 before becoming Vanderbilt's head coach from 2016 to 2021.

She joined the Sun in 2023 and it seems like her time with the team has come to an end. The Chicago Sky have an interesting group of young players, starting with Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso. If they can retain Chennedy Carter, and add a couple of pieces with Stephanie White at the helm, they could challenge for the title.