The Indiana Fever are navigating a period of change as head coach Stephanie White takes an indefinite leave of absence to address a personal matter. The announcement came just ahead of the team's game against the Golden State Valkyries on Thursday, June 19, 2025. While the exact nature of White's personal matter has not been disclosed, the organization has expressed its full support for her during this time.
In White's absence, assistant coach Mike Kelly will step in to serve as the acting head coach. Kelly is not a new face to the Fever, having served alongside White as an assistant coach with the Connecticut Sun in 2023 and 2024 before joining the Fever this season. He also previously filled in for White during the Fever's June 7 game against the Chicago Sky, which the Fever won decisively 79-52. The team seems confident in Kelly's ability to maintain the course. According to ESPN, Kelly said, "It's going to be the same. I think we are an extension of each other...The message is still the same that we talk about in the locker room: playing for each other, getting it done on the defensive end and then having that help fuel us on the offensive end. But the vibes are good."
White's leave comes at a crucial time for the Fever, who are currently sitting at a 6-5 record. This record, if maintained, would be their best since 2015, which was during White's first stint as the team's head coach. Since White's return to the Fever as head coach, the team has shown significant improvement and demonstrated potential. The Fever made the playoffs in 2024, marking their first postseason appearance since 2016. Much of the team's success can be attributed to generational phenom Caitlin Clark, who was the first overall pick in the 2024 WNBA draft.
The Indiana Fever also recently made headlines when the WNBA announced that the team would host the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game and related events in July 2025, which will be the first time in franchise history. Tickets for All-Star weekend events went on sale on April 29, 2025, and sold out within seven hours.
The team has also made strategic moves to bolster its roster, including acquiring players such as Natasha Howard, DeWanna Bonner, and Brianna Turner, as well as trading for Sophie Cunningham. The Fever also welcomed Briann January back to Indiana as an assistant coach, further solidifying the coaching staff.
Despite the challenges presented by White's absence, the Indiana Fever appear well-positioned to navigate this transition. With Mike Kelly at the helm and a talented roster led by Caitlin Clark, the Fever aim to continue their momentum and strive for success in the remainder of the 2025 season.
