Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White got brutally honest about how she handles outside noise and constant criticism.
During her pregame media availability for Game 1 of their first-round playoff matchup against the Las Vegas Aces on Sunday, coach White was asked about her current mental state.
The 49-year-old explained how her inner circle helps her deal with these external distractions and opened up about the emotional toll of online negativity.
“Thank you for asking. It’s tough. Certainly, my therapist helps, my family helps,” White said. “I have the luxury of being able to sort of minimize what gets in. But at the end of the day, nobody likes to be a subject of ugliness from the internet. And oftentimes, what happens on the internet then becomes articles in the news now.”
The one-time WNBA Coach of the Year also highlighted how disrespectful behavior has become increasingly normalized online.
“I think I try to lead by example and setting aside time and being intentional about talking about using our resources,” White continued. “I use mine, certainly try to step back at times, but there’s moments where it does get hard, it does get heavy, because it is ugly.
“I often say it’s not hard to not be a jerk, but maybe it is. Maybe it’s harder to be kind. Especially in the world that we live in right now, where it seems that it’s okay to call people names, it’s okay to bully and berate and degrade.”
White has faced a lot of scrutiny this season despite leading Indiana to a winning record and making the playoffs. The criticism includes her lineup decisions and how she handles issues involving her players.
Still, White tries to lead by example for her players, who also encounter negativity online.
“It’s the world that we’re living in right now, and, for me, personally, I have my ups and downs, just like I’m sure that many of these young people have their ups and downs,” she added. “And for me to talk about it and show them that they’re not alone, I think is important. … But it is the reality that we’re living in right now, and mental health has to be a priority.”
The Fever dropped Game 1 to the Aces, 102-85, and are now on the brink of elimination. But they will try to extend the series in Game 2 on Tuesday, when they host the defending champions at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
