Stephanie White and Indiana Fever issue statement on Vanderbilt coaching job

From the Fever:

Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White has interviewed for a head coaching position at Vanderbilt University, it has been announced in media reports today. She has issued the following statement regarding her interest in college coaching:

Stephanie White: “It has always been a goal of mine to get back into college coaching at some point in my career, but it had to be the ‘perfect’ opportunity in order for me to consider leaving this job that I love very much. Vanderbilt did reach out to me and I was given permission to speak with them. No matter what happens in this process, my focus is on the Indiana Fever and leading this team to a WNBA championship this season. I love this team, our players, staff and organization and I will continue to give them all everything I have.”

Fever President and General Manager Kelly Krauskopf added, “In the offseason, Stephanie made it known that she is interested in pursuing college coaching. We agreed that she would remain with the Fever for the 2016 season. It is not my desire for her to leave our franchise, but I felt the right thing to do was to allow her to pursue her goal of coaching in college. I am more than confident that Stephanie will do a great job for us this season.”

An iconic figure in the state’s history of women’s basketball known for her skill, grit, poise and knowledge of the game, Stephanie White was introduced as the fifth head coach of the Indiana Fever on Sept. 23, 2014. Last year, in her first regular season as head coach, she did not disappoint, guiding Indiana to a 20-14 record and breaking the club mark for wins by a first-year head coach. In her first playoffs venture as head coach, she led Indiana to the WNBA Finals, becoming the first rookie head coach in league history to do so.