The Connecticut Sun confirmed Monday that Stephanie White will be their new head coach, replacing Curt Miller, who left the WNBA franchise to join the Los Angeles Sparks in October.
In seven seasons, Miller coached the Sun to six consecutive WNBA playoff appearances and two berths in the WNBA finals where Connecticut lost to Washington in five games (2019) and Las Vegas in four games (2022).
White is taking over a Connecticut program that went to the WNBA finals in September and is looking for the franchise’s first championship.
“Stephanie White is the right coach at the right time for our organization. She’s a proven winner that understands the high expectations we have within the Connecticut Sun organization and our fan base,” said Jennifer Rizzotti, the Sun’s president. “She has been a part of championships as both a player and a coach, and that is the mentality I was looking to add. I’m excited for our players who will be under her guidance, and I look forward to supporting and welcoming her back to the WNBA.”
White has a combined 15 seasons of experience as a player and coach in the WNBA. Most recently, she spent two seasons as the head coach of the Indiana Fever (2015, 2016), compiling an overall record of 37-31 and playoff record of 6-6, including a trip to the 2015 WNBA finals and a 2016 postseason berth.
Prior to becoming a head coach for the Fever, White spent four seasons as an assistant coach (2011-2014), most notably helping lead Indiana to their first WNBA championship in 2012.
“I am thrilled to be a part of the Connecticut Sun family,” White remarked. “I have admired the organization from afar since its inception and am looking forward to building on the strong foundation that has been established.”
Prior to her time with the Fever, White was an assistant coach with the Chicago Sky from 2007-2010.
She has also served as an assistant coach at the collegiate level at Toledo (2005-2007), Kansas State (2004-2005) and Ball State (2003-2004).
Her most recent coaching stint was from 2016-21, where she spent five seasons as the head coach of the Vanderbilt University women’s basketball team. She posted an overall record of 46-83, twice posting records of 14-16.
As a player, White played five seasons in the WNBA. She was drafted with the 21st overall pick in the 1999 WNBA draft by the Charlotte Sting, where she played her rookie season in the league. In 2000, White was acquired by the Indiana Fever in the franchise’s inaugural season. She played four years in Indiana.
White also had a standout collegiate career, playing four seasons for Purdue from 1995-99. As a senior, she led the Boilermakers to the 1999 NCAA national championship, while also picking up Big Ten Conference Player of the Year and Wade Trophy honors. At Purdue, White amassed 2,182 career points and was inducted into the Purdue Athletics Hall of Fame in 2006.
White has served as a college basketball analyst for ESPN and the Big Ten network since 2007. She has appeared both in-studio and on the sidelines as an analyst, most notably co-hosting the Big Ten women’s basketball tournament for many seasons. White has also worked as an Indiana Pacers reporter for FOX Sports Indiana.
White currently resides in Nashville with her partner Lisa, Lisa’s son Sam, and White’s three sons Landon, Avery and Aiden.
