Phenom Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever will have new leadership on the sidelines next season. This comes in light of news that the Fever fired Caitlin Clark’s first head coach in the WNBA, Christie Sides, after two seasons with the team.
“We have parted ways with head coach Christie Sides,” the Fever announced on Twitter.
We have parted ways with head coach Christie Sides.
More: https://t.co/eBb0wRuBlF pic.twitter.com/Ja5S3uGPOb
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) October 27, 2024
Now we have information about what likely led to Sides’ dismissal. Earlier in the season, Clark was asked about the best advice she’d received in-game, and her response was jarring. “Nobody gives me advice in game. I wish,” Clark responded.
The answer disturbed many across the WNBA, as it’s the head coach’s job to make sure players are learning and prepared, especially rookies. Her inability to influence Clark on the court was likely an enormous contributing factor to Sides being let go.
Team president Kelly Krauskopf released a statement on the official Fever website about the dismissal.
“We are incredibly thankful to Coach Sides for embracing the challenge of leading us through an integral transition period over the last two seasons, while also positioning us well for future growth. While decisions like these are never easy, it is also imperative that we remain bold and assertive in the pursuit of our goals, which include maximizing our talent and bringing another WNBA championship back to Indiana.
“Coach Sides was an incredible representative of the Fever and our community, and we wish her nothing but success in the future.”
By the Fever’s own admission, they want to remain bold and assertive, which Clark’s comments showed management Sides was incapable of being.
About Qwame Skinner
Qwame Skinner has loved both writing and sports his entire life. In addition to his sports coverage at Comeback Media, Qwame writes novels, and his debut; The First Casualty, an adult fantasy, is out now.