The 2026 WNBA season will welcome two new franchises, which will add two new head coaches and 24 new players to the league. While many franchises are seeking experienced and championship-minded coaches, the assistant coaches in the league are equally experienced and have worked closely with multiple players.
Stephanie white, a prime example of the assistant coach turning into a successful coach, talked about the same in Chloe Peterson’s podcast. The Toronto Tempo hired Sandy Brondello as their new coach, but there are still three to four franchises without a head coach, and the Fever leader pushes for Briann January and Austin Kelly as top candidates.
Stephanie White Pushes Briann January And Austin Kelly For WNBA Head Coach Role
While the Indiana Fever’s players pushed extra miles for the incredible season, the coaching staff deserved equal credit. Kelsey Mitchell dropped heartfelt praise for White’s role in the Indiana Fever’s epic run. Now White lauded her coaching staff, who were with her for three seasons, and even called them possible future head coaches in the league.
“They’re going to be great head coaches in this league for a long time. They each bring different personalities, different experiences and what they lack in ‘head coaching experience,’ they’ve gained in basketball experience and sport experience,” White continued. “And in the three years we’ve been working together, the way they’ve grown in terms of their leadership and communication and strategizing — all those things matter,” White said on Indiana Fever’s podcast.
Stephanie White on Briann January and Austin Kelly: "Both are going to be great head coaches in this league. … I want to keep them around for as long as I can, but I also know they're going to be ready when their number's called."
— spooky hank 🇰🇷 👻 (@Brian_Haenchen) October 23, 2025
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During White’s absence, Kelly took over the HC role and delivered results for the Fever team. Briann January is also in demand as a coach after the Fever’s fantastic run in the 2025 season. As per reports, the Wings are interested in Briann January to replace outgoing HC Chris Koclanes.
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But White has a lot on her plate in the upcoming offseason. The expectations are high for the former Fever player who will be aiming for her first championship as head coach.
Stephanie White Uncertain About Indiana Fever’s Offseason Strategy
Along with uncertainty over her staff, the 48-year-old coach has a lot to worry about, starting with her squad. The Fever team has only three rookies under contract, with the rest of the roster entering the season as free agents. Apart from trying to hold on to her star players, the franchise is also looking for extended cap space and roster size in the new CBA.
HC White talked in detail about the needs of the franchise as she said, “I think it’s really important, I think we all want to see roster sizes expand, as well, to make sure that we’re not in situations where we’re having … four or five hardship contracts or something throughout the course of the year. And we’re developing young talent in our league. There are a lot of players who deserve an opportunity to develop in the WNBA that aren’t on teams.”
The CBA negotiations are still ongoing, and their outcome will impact a lot of players’ and franchises’ decisions. The Fever HC is among those wishing to see an early conclusion on the new deal.