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As children, we were often asked, "What do you want to be when you grow up? Or what are your goals?" For Stephanie White, her goal has been to be a head coach. She already has head coaching under her belt, as she is entering her second year as head coach for the Indiana Fever. However, there is one goal she still has yet to accomplish: being a head coach at the college level.
She can now check off that dream and goal after being named the next coach at Vanderbilt, multiple sources tell Swish Appeal. It was reported late last week; White was one of three finalists for the vacancy. In that report, she expressed, that in order for her to leave the Fever, it would have to be the "perfect opportunity," which clearly this has become for White.
Fever fans might be upset or disappointed in her decision to leave the professional level for the college level, but the good news is she will remain with the Fever through the end of the 2016 season -- an agreement made with Kelly Krauskopf, president and general manager of the Indiana Fever, in the offseason.
With that being said, White will join Vanderbilt once the season has concluded for Indiana. For now, her mindset will continue to be winning games with the Fever and chasing the championship trophy.
White has been on the Fever sideline since 2011 when she came on as an assistant before being promoted to head coach in 2015. She also spent time as an assistant with the Chicago Sky from 2007-2010. White had assistant coaching stints at Ball State (2003-2004), Kansas State (2004-2005) and Toledo (2005-2007).
Vanderbilt has chosen a winner in White. Just last year she led the Fever to the WNBA Finals in her first year as a head coach. Unfortunately, they lost to the Minnesota Lynx, yet she left a lasting impression that she knows how to lead her team.
White has playing experience she can speak from as a coach. She was a star player for Purdue (1995-1999) before heading to the WNBA, where she was drafted by the Charlotte Sting as the 21st overall pick in the second round. White played for the Sting for one season, then the Indiana Fever for four seasons before she retired in 2004.
Rene' Kennedy contributed to this article.