New 22, meet the original 22.

The Indiana Fever announced Stephanie White as the team’s new head coach Nov.1, marking a homecoming for the former player and championship coach.

White, who hails from West Lebanon and is a Purdue alumna, returns to the Fever sidelines, ready to lead the team into a promising new chapter.

A new era of Fever basketball

Fever President of Basketball Operations Kelly Krauskopf emphasized the significance of White’s return.

“As we enter this new era of Fever basketball, I am thrilled to welcome Stephanie back to the franchise,” Krauskopf said. “Stephanie is a part of the fabric of this franchise, both as a former player and as a member of our championship coaching staff.”

The Fever forerunner

White’s history with the Fever stretches back to the team’s early years, playing in the inaugural season in 2000. Originally selected by the Charlotte Sting in the 1999 WNBA Draft, White made her way home to Indiana, spending five seasons in the Circle City while rocking no. 22 in the process.

Krauskopf is confident in  White, saying there is “no one who better understands our culture or is more equipped to lead our group of players to the next level.”

White’s tenure with the Fever from 2011 to 2016, first as an assistant and then as head coach, included guiding the team to a WNBA championship in 2012 and an appearance in the WNBA Finals in 2015.

Now, she views this as a vital time for both the team and the sport.

“I am incredibly proud and honored to return home to Indiana and lead the Fever during such a pivotal moment in this franchise’s history, as well as during such an important time throughout women’s athletics,” White said.

Fever firewall defense?

White arrives with an impressive coaching resume spanning nearly two decades, including stints with the Chicago Sky and Vanderbilt University. Most recently, she led the Connecticut Sun to two WNBA Semifinal appearances and was named the WNBA Coach of the Year in 2023.

Often regarded for a defense-first approach, White led Connecticut to one of the league’s top defensive ratings during her time with the team. White’s extensive background as both player and coach brings the Fever a seasoned perspective and commitment to success.

Fired-up fans and the future of Fever basketball

Fever fans celebrate White’s return, seeing it as a necessary shift for the organization. Fever fan Triana “Tre” Moore believes White’s comeback is necessary for more than just the organization.

“Before there was a Caitlin Clark for the Fever, there was a Stephanie White,” Moore said. “For Stephanie White to be able to mentor someone of Clark’s caliber while also having a team-forward mentality can take us to the next level. This move is something that we, as fans, as a city, needed.”

Moore, who played basketball at Lincoln Trail Community College in Illinois, sees White’s return as a promising step forward for women’s sports.

“I love to see that women’s basketball is getting so much love and attention. The game is going in the right direction,” Moore said.

With the 2025 season set to begin in May, White’s ultimate goal is the gold.

“I look forward to working every day to help deliver another WNBA title to the greatest basketball fans in the world,” White said.

Contact multi-media & senior sports reporter Noral Parham III at 317-762-7846 or via email noralp@indyrecorder.com. Follow him on X @3Noral. For more Indiana Fever news, click here.