The Indiana Fever are aware of the discourse surrounding head coach Stephanie White.
During this past Saturday's game between the Fever and Sky, DiJonai Carrington was ejected for hacking Sophie Cunningham in the head and neck area. Although it may have looked intentional, White defended the opposition's actions.
“Yeah, I mean, look, it was a hard foul. I don’t think that DiJonai intentionally came out to get her across the neck like she did. But it did happen and I thought it was the right call,” White told reporters. “She’s going to compete, no one’s going to walk in for an easy layup, so I don’t oppose the hard foul.”
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Over the past 48 hours, Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy and former ESPN anchor Linda Cohn have ripped White for her postgame comments. They even suggested she should be fired this year.
“There is no coach in any sport on planet earth where Stephanie White would still be employed for supporting opposing players more than she supports her own, specifically Sophie Cunningham and Caitlin Clark,” said Cohn. “… I know her history and I know what a great player she used to be, but it’s not working with the Indiana Fever. The reason she’s not fired already is because the owners don’t care or because the Fever are doing well. But they are [contending] not because of Stephanie White, but because of Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell.”
Coach White isn't going anywhere.
Prior to this Tuesday's game against the New York Liberty, Fever president Kelly Krauskopf voiced her support for White.
"Coach White has done a tremendous job leading the Fever and for the second-consecutive season, has us in great position for a playoff push," Krauskopf said. "She has kept our team focused and united, all while under the brightest spotlight our team and our league have ever experienced. She has the full support of leadership."
At the end of the day, Indiana is firmly in playoff contention at 20-12. There would need to be a mid-season collapse for the front office to make a massive change.
