The franchise’s first WNBA playoff appearance since 2016 and following Caitlin Clark’s incredible Rookie of the Year season. indiana fever Earlier on Sunday, he announced that he had parted ways with former manager Christy Said.
Sides, who coached the Fever the past two seasons, finished the regular season with a 33-47 record, including a 20-20 season in 2024.
The Fever qualified for the WBNA playoffs for the first time in eight years, but were swept in the first round by the Connecticut Sun in two games.
Fever president of basketball operations Kelly Krauskopf announced the move on Sunday.
“We are very grateful to Coach Sides for embracing the challenge of leading us through a period of integrative transition over the past two seasons while positioning us well for future growth.
“These decisions are never easy, but it is also important that we remain bold and decisive in pursuing our goals, which include maximizing our talent and bringing another WNBA championship to Indiana. Coach Sides has been a great representative of the Fever and our community, and we wish her nothing but success in the future,” Krauskopf said in a statement.
Sides was hired to replace Marianne Stanley and her interim successor, Carlos Knox, after the 2022 season. Said has two years left on his four-year contract as coach.
This news adds Lynn Dunn to the list of coaches who have not lasted longer than three seasons since taking the job for six seasons from 2008 to 2014.
The latest Fever campaign saw several ups and downs, starting with a 1-9 record to start the season, but bounced back with an 18-9 record between June 1 and September 10.
The Fever, aided by the offensive talent of Caitlin Clark and Co., maintained the league’s best offensive rating (109.6 points per 100 possessions) after the Olympic break.
Ethan Miller/Getty Images
The Fever, aiming to return to the WNBA playoffs in 2025, hope to bring Clark back along with 2023 Rookie of the Year Aliyah Boston and re-sign All-Star Kelsey Mitchell in free agency.
For Clark, this is the first time she has had to endure a coaching change, having spent four seasons at Iowa under head coach Lisa Bluder. As Clark enters her second WNBA season, it will be interesting to see how her new coach utilizes her talents.
Clark finished his rookie season averaging 19.2 points, 8.4 assists, 5.7 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 41.7% from the field, 34.4% from 3-point range and 90.6% from the free throw line.
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