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Despite back-to-back winning seasons under head coach Stephanie White, the Connecticut Sun decided it was time to make a change.
The Sun announced on Monday that the team parted ways with White, who had a 55-25 record in two seasons as head coach. However, Connecticut lost in the second round of the WNBA playoffs in each of the last two years.
The Sun swept star rookie Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever in the first round of the playoffs this year before losing a hard-fought five-game series against the Minnesota Lynx.
The Associated Press reported earlier this month that White’s name “has surfaced as a potential candidate for some of the WNBA coaching openings.” The Fever, Atlanta Dream, Chicago Sky and Los Angeles Sparks currently have vacancies and could choose to pursue her now that she’s leaving Connecticut.
However, White was dealing with a family emergency at the time and refused to discuss her future, saying on a video call, “I’m not having conversations right now about anything outside of my family. I’m solely focused on my family and getting through this tough time.”
White had previously coached the Fever in 2015 and 2016, leading the team to a WNBA Finals appearance in her first year and a combined record of 37-31. After departing Indiana, she coached at Vanderbilt for four-plus seasons and compiled a 46-83 record.
In addition to needing a new head coach, the Sun are also a team in transition with star players Brionna Jones, Alyssa Thomas and DeWanna Bonner all headed for free agency. DiJonai Carrington, who was named Most Improved Player this season, is also a restricted free agent.
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