Head coach Stephanie White to miss Fever's game at Chicago, Austin Kelly to step in
CHICAGO -- Head coach Steph White won't be at the Fever's game against the Chicago Sky on Saturday night, a team spokesperson confirmed to IndyStar on Saturday morning.
White was not with the team on Friday during practice because of personal reasons, and her status was previously to be determined for Saturday's game.
First assistant Austin Kelly will be the acting head coach, and assistants Karima Christmas-Kelly and Briann January will also step into bigger roles. It's currently unknown how long White will be away from the team.
White has a lot of trust in her staff, most of whom she's worked with for years.
"My staff is so good and trusting in them that if I needed to be away for a period of time, it's status quo," White told IndyStar ahead of the season. "Our team knows that, they have great respect for them, and I know that, and I trust them implicitly, so it gives even more peace of mind."
Kelly, who talked with the media on Friday, has worked with White for three years now. He joined her staff in Connecticut in 2023 and followed her to Indianapolis after she took the job with the Fever.
More: Caitlin Clark is a spectator for the first time. How she's handling injury, working her way back
January also has also worked with White for three years, beginning in 2023 in Connecticut. Christmas-Kelly joined White's staff in 2025 after two years on the Fever's assistant coaching staff under Christie Sides.
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4 hours ago
- Indianapolis Star
Head coach Stephanie White to miss Fever's game at Chicago, Austin Kelly to step in
CHICAGO -- Head coach Steph White won't be at the Fever's game against the Chicago Sky on Saturday night, a team spokesperson confirmed to IndyStar on Saturday morning. White was not with the team on Friday during practice because of personal reasons, and her status was previously to be determined for Saturday's game. First assistant Austin Kelly will be the acting head coach, and assistants Karima Christmas-Kelly and Briann January will also step into bigger roles. It's currently unknown how long White will be away from the team. White has a lot of trust in her staff, most of whom she's worked with for years. "My staff is so good and trusting in them that if I needed to be away for a period of time, it's status quo," White told IndyStar ahead of the season. "Our team knows that, they have great respect for them, and I know that, and I trust them implicitly, so it gives even more peace of mind." Kelly, who talked with the media on Friday, has worked with White for three years now. He joined her staff in Connecticut in 2023 and followed her to Indianapolis after she took the job with the Fever. More: Caitlin Clark is a spectator for the first time. How she's handling injury, working her way back January also has also worked with White for three years, beginning in 2023 in Connecticut. Christmas-Kelly joined White's staff in 2025 after two years on the Fever's assistant coaching staff under Christie Sides.
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