Stephanie White returns to Indiana Fever after leave for personal reasons
Coach Stephanie White returned to the Indiana Fever after stepping away for personal reasons.
SAN FRANCISCO — The Indiana Fever announced head coach Stephanie White will miss Thursday’s game at the Golden State Valkyries for personal reasons, marking the second game she’d missed this season. Austin Kelly will serve as acting head coach.
Kelly previously filled in for White in the team’s 79-52 victory over the Chicago Sky at the United Center on June 7. White and ESPN/ABC broadcaster Lisa Salters are partners and both stepped away from their duties that weekend as Salters’ mother dealt with a health issue, according to the ABC broadcast of the NBA Finals. It’s not known if White is missing Thursday game for the same reason.
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White returned to the team following the Fever’s win over Chicago, and has coached Indiana’s games against Atlanta, New York, and Connecticut since.
“Thanks. You know, I’m doing all right,” White said after she returned following the June 7 game. “It’s helpful that we have such a great group, pouring into me and helping give me strength. I’ve said it all along, we’ve got three head coaches on our staff. And so knowing that they continue to step up and do great things gives me comfort.
“You know, our family is working through a hard time right now. And no matter what, I’m gonna be where my feet are, but I’m really thankful for this group.”
White has a lot of trust in Kelly and her entire coaching staff, all of whom she’s known for over a decade. Kelly was a practice player on the Fever’s 2012 championship team, while fellow assistants Karima Christmas-Kelly and Briann January played on that team.
Kelly was on White’s staff at Vanderbilt, and she gave him his first job in the WNBA when he joined her staff in Connecticut in 2023. He, along with January, followed her to Indianapolis after she took the job with the Fever.
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