History will note that a new chapter for the Indiana Fever began on April 15, 2024. This was the night the franchise, which had long sought a hint of success, selected Caitlin Clark as the first overall pick. In that moment, everything shifted.

A subsequent date—October 27, 2024—will also stand out as significant, marking the day the Fever officially parted ways with head coach Christie Sides after just two seasons. While the Clark era continues, the franchise’s trajectory has taken a turn.

Kelly Krauskopf, the newly appointed president of basketball operations, hinted at this change in her statement about Sides’ dismissal. Sides, hired by Lin Dunn, who transitioned to an advisory role following the 2024 season, had a record of 33 wins and 47 losses over her two years. Krauskopf referred to Sides’ tenure as an “integral transition period.”

Krauskopf emphasized the need for boldness and assertiveness in pursuing their goals, which include optimizing their talent and reclaiming a WNBA championship for Indiana.

The terms “bold” and “assertive” seem to capture the Fever’s new direction. They are no longer in a phase of transition; they are aiming high.

Even with Clark and 2023’s No. 1 pick, Aliyah Boston, at the forefront, the goal for the previous season was simply to make the playoffs. Dunn was clear about her intention to end a seven-year drought. However, following Clark’s record-breaking rookie season, the expectations have risen significantly. The Fever are now aiming for their first title since 2012.

A transformative star can expedite timelines.

In the NBA, LeBron James’ first coach, Paul Silas, oversaw just the initial season and a half of James’ career in Cleveland. Michael Jordan’s first coach, Kevin Loughery, lasted only one year. In the WNBA, Candace Parker’s inaugural coach, Michael Cooper, was with her for just two seasons, and the same goes for Diana Taurasi’s first coach, Carrie Graf. Dunn drafted and coached Sue Bird in her rookie season, but by Bird’s second year, Anne Donovan had taken the helm.

Sides now joins the list of coaches hired for developmental purposes, only to find themselves out of a job when circumstances changed.

The Fever are now Clark’s team. However, following Sunday’s decision, they also belong to Krauskopf. She previously led the franchise from 2000 to 2018 before becoming the first woman in NBA history to hold an executive role as assistant general manager for the Pacers. During her initial tenure, she led the team to the playoffs 13 times and played in three WNBA Finals, winning the championship in 2012. Her return is fueled by a desire to replicate that success.

Familiarity will likely play a crucial role in Indiana’s search for a new coach. This could lead them to pursue Connecticut Sun coach Stephanie White for another reunion. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, while White remains under contract with the Sun, she has had discussions with the Fever about the head coaching position.

Krauskopf and White share a strong connection. White, an Indiana native and Purdue alum, played for the Fever from 2000 to 2004 and served as an assistant coach from 2011 to 2014 before taking on the head coaching role in 2015 and 2016.

Widely recognized as one of the league’s top coaches, White has demonstrated her expertise and achieved recent success by implementing a new offense in Connecticut. She was named Coach of the Year in 2023, led the Fever to the 2015 Finals, and has nurtured talents like Tamika Catchings and Alyssa Thomas. In Krauskopf’s words, she could help “maximize” Indiana’s talent, with plans to target veteran players in free agency to complement Clark and Boston.

There were clear areas for improvement during Sides’ tenure, including defense and enhancing Clark’s shooting efficiency—key focus points for the next coach.

The decision to move on from Sides appears to stem less from the player-coach dynamic and more from Krauskopf’s vision for what a player like Clark can achieve. Sides and Clark regularly collaborated on strategy and how Clark managed pressure on and off the court. As the previous season progressed, Clark became more effective as a shooter and driver, leading the Fever to nine wins in 14 games after the All-Star break, ultimately guiding them to the playoffs and earning Rookie of the Year honors. Krauskopf even praised Sides for this progress.

When Dunn was appointed as GM, she aimed to exit the lottery by her third season, which she accomplished. Now, under Krauskopf, lottery parties are no longer acceptable; the focus has shifted to championship celebrations.

Next spring, Clark and the Fever will be under the leadership of a new coach and general manager (Amber Cox). The Fever are done experimenting.

Once again, a star has accelerated the timeline toward a championship, and once again, a coach has faced the consequences.