Basketball star Caitlin Clark has been advised to avoid developing a reputation as a ‘coach killer’ after Christie Sides was dismissed as head coach of the Indiana Fever. Sides, who is 47, guided the team to their first playoff appearance since 2016 but was let go at the season’s end.
Stephanie White has now taken over as the new head coach on a two-year contract. White, who previously coached the Connecticut Sun, aims to maximize the talents of Clark, the WNBA Rookie of the Year, who led the league in both assists and three-point shots.
White’s relationship with Clark could be pivotal for her return to the Fever, where she has previously served as head coach and assistant. Commentator and former coach Dan Dakich expressed concern for Sides and the possible effect on Clark’s growing fame.
“I feel bad for coach Sides because one thing to understand—and I heard this from someone who wanted the job—is that it’s the most high-profile position in the league,” Dakich said on the OutKick YouTube channel (as reported by the Irish Star). “It’s the most high-profile job in WNBA history because you’ve got the most high-profile player in the league’s history.
“And now, the spotlight is on. The only thing that could turn public sentiment against Caitlin Clark is if she earns a reputation as a ‘coach killer.’
“And she’s already at the start of it. What start? The start of becoming a ‘coach killer.’ One year, one coach, and that coach is out.”
Dakich also commented on the appeal of coaching such a high-profile team, saying: “Would you want the job? Absolutely. It would be the most fun job in the country. Dealing with all the criticism and noise is part of it, but that’s what you sign up for when it matters.”
White, 47, may have her own views on the challenges ahead, but getting the best out of Clark and pushing further in next year’s playoffs could be key to dispelling the ‘coach killer’ label.
