Indiana Fever names Steven Key as an assistant coach for 2016 season, replacing Gail Goestenkors
From the Fever:
The Indiana Fever have named Steven Key as an assistant coach for the 2016 season, replacing Gail Goestenkors who has chosen to pursue other interests outside of coaching.
Key, who assisted Anne Donovan the past two seasons as an assistant with the Connecticut Sun, is re-united with Fever Head Coach Stephanie White, who served as Key’s assistant with the Chicago Sky from 2008-10. Key’s coaching career began as a Sky assistant in 2006 and 2007, before being elevated as the head coach for three seasons. A former college point guard at Boston University where he named the American East Player of the Year in 1990, Key played professionally in the CBA and throughout Europe. He coached briefly in Germany, prior to returning to the WNBA with the Sun.
“I’m certainly sad that Gail has chosen to leave coaching,” said White, “but I’m very fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with her. She is one of the best, and to be able to step on the floor with her every day was such a blessing. I’m thankful for everything that she taught me and for her impact on our team and franchise.”
White continued, “I’m excited to welcome Steve to our Fever family. His experience as a professional player, and his coaching knowledge both in Europe and in the WNBA will be invaluable – not only to myself, but to our team. I look very forward to working with him and Gary Kloppenburg as we begin the 2016 season.”
Goestenkors coached one year with the Fever and was named to the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame last summer, after a legendary college coaching career and a transition to the WNBA. Goestenkors was a longtime coach at Duke, leading the Blue Devils to 13 consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances and four Final Fours, prior to accepting the same position at Texas in 2007. She also was an assistant coach with the gold-medal winning U.S. Olympic women’s basketball team in 2008. She was an assistant coach with the Los Angeles Sparks in 2014, and helped White lead the Fever to the WNBA Finals last September. After 30 seasons at the college and pro level, her intention is to step away from coaching. She will continue her role as a college basketball analyst.
“I thoroughly enjoyed my time with the Indiana Fever and am so grateful to Kelly [Krauskopf] and Steph for bringing me into the Fever family,” said Goestenkors, who joined Gary Kloppenburg to help White last summer in her transition to the head coaching role. “It was a joy to be a part of such a first-class organization and work with such amazing coaches, players and staff. The fans are second to none, and I will continue to support and cheer for my Fever family from afar.”
