Following the New York Liberty’s hiring of Golden State Warriors assistant Chris DeMarco as head coach, every franchise in the league now has key positions in place.
However, there is one interesting aspect of this hiring that came to light after Stephanie White opened up about the role of former WNBA players in the league.
Only three of the 15 franchises in the league have former WNBA players in their head coaching positions, while a few former players also serve as staff members. The Fever HC wants more involvement of the ex-WNBA players.
Stephanie White Wants Former WNBA Players Back In League
The Indiana Fever had been one of the shining teams in the 2025 season, and its star player, Kelsey Mitchell, praised her coach for the improvements. The former player-turned-coach also used her experience on the floor and knowledge to use her assets ideally. She highlighted the same when she spoke about the involvement of other former players in the league.
Talking with Sue Bird on the ‘Bird’s View’ Podcast, White said, “I also want us to have former players in GM roles and president roles and at the Commissioner’s office and in the league because we do see it from a different point of view and we’re not just hiring necessarily a name or a candidate, we’re hiring the right person for the job if we’re hiring someone who continues to value our league and continues to move the needle for our league.”.
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Currently, only Becky Hamon and Sandy Brondello are two other coaches who played early in the league too and found success winning multiple titles, including the midseason tournament, the Commissioners Cup, and the Coach of the Year accolade.
White also found success in the league even after moving to the sidelines; she won the Commissioners’ Cup (2025) and was the Coach of the Year winner (2023). The 48-year-old even won a WNBA championship (2012) as an assistant coach of the Indiana Fever.
While the coach spoke her heart out, showing trust in the former WNBA players to succeed as coaches or executives, she also openly supported her assistant coaches in taking on higher roles.
Stephanie White Endorses Briann January For WNBA Head Coaching Role
Early in the offseason, five franchises were filling up their head coach position with Fever’s Briann January on the Wings’ wish list. After the Fever’s impressive run, every staff member was on target for other franchises as an assistant or even a head coach position. White promoted her subordinates and spoke highly about them.
“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."
— hank 🇰🇷 (@Brian_Haenchen) October 23, 2025
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While the points made by Stephanie White are very valid and make more sense, the franchises are looking for quick results and experience in the said positions.