Dave Portnoy Demands Fever Fire Stephanie White, 'Get Her Out'

At 20-12 on the season, Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White has the team poised to break the franchise single-season wins mark and be a top playoff team. But that isn't enough for Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy.

On Monday's episode of Wake Up Barstool, Portnoy ripped White for not doing more to defend star guard Sophie Cunningham following the hit she took from DiJonai Carrington against the Chicago Sky this past weekend. He admonished her for defending Carrington's actions and declared that no NBA coach would ever do such a thing.

"Get her out of there. Fire her [expletive] today. I don't want her back on that bench. Stop defending the other players… When do you ever see a coach in the NBA not defend their own players?" Portnoy said.

"This isn't politics. Your player got assaulted. Defend your player in the press conference."

White Under Fire?

Fans in Portnoy's comments tacked on to his criticisms, with many declaring that the Fever players should publicly protest White by walking out on her for forcing the team to dismiss her:

"You've got the wrong take here Dave. That ship has sailed. Time for the players to walk out on the coach. On TV. In the middle of a press conference or a game. We're now at the precipice where if they don't stand up for themselves, they are compliant with the abuse. The women themselves who are affected are the only ones who can effect change now," one user on X argued.

"It's a good thing I suck at basketball. There is no way in hell I would play for a coach who does not have her player back on any circumstance. Stunned she defended the other teams action. Total disgrace of a human but mostly a coach and leader," wrote another.

"If the Fever had another coach, they would be circling August 23rd when they play Chicago again. The first time DiJonai Carrington tries to go to the basket take a hard foul and put her on the floor, end of story. That will be your litmus test Stephanie White. No assaults above the head like the cheap shot artist DiJonai Carrington. An old school takedown thats all," a third wrote.

It doesn't sound like the team has nearly as much of an issue with White as users on social media do. Right now she has the team humming, winning six of their last eight games and at one point being a very impressive nine games over .500.

Most importantly, she's successfully developing Caitlin Clark, who is having one of the best seasons of her career.

That said, things could change for White in a hurry if the team starts struggling down the stretch.