At the end of this WNBA season, the Indiana Fever will be losing its head coach to another job in addition to seeing Tamika Catchings depart due to retirement.
Stephanie White will accept the coaching job at the University of Vanderbilt, as initially reported by the Indianapolis Star. In addition, ESPN analyst Carolyn Peck will also be arriving with her to the Commodores as an assistant.
The opportunity to lead Vanderbilt’s women’s basketball program is an opportunity I simply could not pass up,” White said, according to the Commodores’ website. “The combination of Vanderbilt’s culture, where achievement–both on and off the court—is so highly valued, together with the institution’s fan support, and a legacy of winning basketball to build upon, is incredibly exciting to me. I appreciate the support and understanding that I have received from the Indiana Fever, from management to the players, regarding my passion to coach college basketball at an elite institution.
“This is the equivalent of Brad Stevens turning down the Celtics. It just doesn’t happen.”
-Stephanie White on leaving #Fever for @VandyWBB— David Woods (@DavidWoods007) May 24, 2016
She did say in a statement on Friday despite her interviewing for the Vandy job, which she ultimately landed, her focus this season is on coaching the Fever.
No matter what happens in this process, my focus is on the Indiana Fever and leading this team to a WNBA championship this season. I love this team, our players, staff, and organization, and I will continue to give them all everything I have.
White will arrive at Vanderbilt after a coaching stint with Indiana where she became the first rookie coach in WNBA history to lead a team to the Finals. From 2011 to 2014, she was an assistant before becoming head coach of the Fever. Prior to that, she was an assistant coach for the Chicago Sky and her playing career includes stints with the Fever as well as the Charlotte Sting.
She will replace Melanie Balcomb, who is departing from the Commodores’ women’s basketball program with a 310-149 record.
She will be introduced as Vandy’s new head coach tomorrow at a 3:30 p.m. press conference (central time) on the Vanderbilt campus at Memorial Gym.
By: Akiem Bailum (@AkiemBailum on Twitter, Instagram)
