Caitlin Clark revelation that spelled trouble for fired Christie Sides
Indiana Fever have fired head coach Christie Sides after two seasons in charge, with the decision coming just months after an eyebrow-raising comment from Caitlin Clark
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Caitlin Clark made a telling eight-word admission about fired Indiana Fever head coach Christie Sides.
The 47-year-old was dismissed from her role following an even 20-20 season before an abrupt playoff exit. Her overall record of 33-47 across two seasons was aided in large part by No. 1 draft pick Clark’s remarkable rookie campaign.
The 22-year-old basketball prodigy will now be under new guidance in her second WNBA season. And she’ll likely he hoping whoever replaces Sides will be a more impactful in-game communicator.
In June, Clark made a shock revelation that raised doubts about Sides’ effectiveness as a coach. When asked about the most valuable advice she’s received mid-match, her response was: “Nobody gives me advice in game. I wish.”
That comment concerned Fever fans, prompting many of whom to suggest that Sides wasn’t impacting games how she should’ve been and that star player Clark wasn’t receiving the guidance expected of her.
Fever president of basketball operations Kelly Krauskopf insisted it wasn’t a straightforward decision to part ways with her. “We are incredibly thankful to Coach Sides for embracing the challenge of leading us through an integral transition period over the last two seasons, while also positioning us well for future growth,” Krauskopf said.
“While decisions like these are never easy, it is also imperative that we remain bold and assertive in the pursuit of our goals, which include maximizing our talent and bringing another WNBA championship back to Indiana. Coach Sides was an incredible representative of the Fever and our community, and we wish her nothing but success in the future.”
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After a very poor start to the regular season, Fever produced an electrifying run which saw them clinch third place in the Eastern Conference. Despite this momentum, the playoffs saw a swift exit for the team at the hands of the Connecticut Sun, who beat them in two games.
Looking ahead, whoever steps in for Sides will inherit a roster bustling with potential, starring All-WNBA point guard Clark and also featuring the up-and-coming Aliyah Boston. In a surprise turn of events Stephanie White, currently at the helm of the Sun, is reportedly a leading contender for the top spot in Indiana.
The Chicago Sun-Times reports that White has been in discussions with both the Fever and the Chicago Sky about stepping in for the upcoming season. Despite being under contract until 2025, the opportunity to coach a rising star like Clark might be too tempting for White to resist.