New Fever Coach Hires Familiar Face For Caitlin Clark’s Second Season

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Spencer Ostrow | Last updated Nov 26, 2024 3:13 PM ET

It's been a busy offseason for the Indiana Fever, starting with the decision to part ways with head coach Christie Sides on Oct. 27. Sides led the team to a 20-20 record in 2024 and a 33-47 record over two seasons.

On Nov. 1, the Fever announced Stephanie White , the former Connecticut Sun head coach, as their new boss. One of White’s first priorities was building her coaching staff.

Whenever a new head coach is brought in, they have the freedom to decide whether to keep current assistants or bring in fresh faces from outside the organization.

White decided to do both ahead of Caitlin Clark's second WNBA season. On Tuesday, the Fever announced they are retaining assistant coach Karima Christmas-Kelly from Sides' staff and hiring Austin Kelly as an assistant coach.

We have hired Austin Kelly as an assistant coach.

Additionally, Karima Christmas-Kelly returns as an assistant coach.

read more: https://t.co/FGiWZlcmjE pic.twitter.com/G3wdujM8CY
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) November 26, 2024

Kelly joins the Fever after spending two seasons on White’s staff with the Sun. In both seasons, the Sun reached the WNBA Semifinals.

Kelly and White's working relationship goes back to 2019 when Kelly served as the Director of Recruiting under White at Vanderbilt, coaching the women’s basketball team until 2021.

Before his tenure with the Sun, Kelly was an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for the University of Texas Arlington’s women’s basketball program. He also gained experience as a graduate assistant and assistant scouting manager with Georgia Tech’s women’s basketball team.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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