Sun part ways with HC Stephanie White following 2024 WNBA playoff loss to Lynx | News, results, highlights, statistics and rumors

Despite back-to-back winning seasons under head coach Stephanie White, the Connecticut Sun decided it was time for a change.

The Sun announced Monday that the team has 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 each of the last two years.

The Sun defeated star freshman Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever in the first round of the playoffs this year before losing a hard-fought five-game series to 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 vacancies.” The Fever, Atlanta Dream, Chicago Sky and Los Angeles Sparks currently have openings and could decide to take her after she leaves Connecticut.

However, White was dealing with a family emergency at the time and refused to discuss her future. She said in a video call: “I’m not having any conversations about anything outside of my family at the moment. “I’m just focused on my family and…” getting through this difficult time.”

White had previously coached the Fever in 2015 and 2016, leading the team to a WNBA Finals appearance and an overall record of 37-31 in her first year. After leaving Indiana, she coached at Vanderbilt for more than four seasons, compiling a 46-83 record.

In addition to needing a new head coach, the Sun are a team in transition, with star players Brionna Jones, Alyssa Thomas and DeWanna Bonner all headed to free agency. DiJonai Carrington, who was named Most Improved Player this season, is also a restricted free agent.