Former Louisiana Tech Lady Techster player and assistant coach Christie Sides has been named the ninth head coach in the WNBA’s Indiana Fever franchise history.
Sides is the second former Lady Techster to currently be a WNBA head coach, joining Vickie Johnson (Dallas Wings).
After starting her collegiate career at Ole Miss, Sides transferred to Louisiana Tech where she played for legendary Hall of Fame coach Leon Barmore (1998-2000) and helped Tech to a 61-6 record in two years, including a trip to the 1999 Final Four. She still holds the career record at Tech for 3-point field goal percentage (.448). As a senior at Central Private High School, Sides was named the Louisiana Gatorade Player of the Year.
“I want to thank the Simon family, Lin Dunn and the entire Pacers Sports & Entertainment organization for this opportunity. It is an honor to be a part of a world-class sports franchise,” Sides said. “Indiana has a great winning tradition and I am excited to team up with Lin and the rest of the organization in laying the foundation for sustainable success as we enter the next era of Fever basketball.”
Sides served as an assistant coach for the Atlanta Dream during the 2022 season under first-year head coach Tanisha Wright. She had been associate women’s head coach at the University of Louisiana-Monroe since 2019, the role she moved to after a two-year stint with the Fever.
“Christie has all the traits I value. She is an excellent teacher with a high basketball IQ. She is a relationship person and a connector. Christie will be demanding, pay attention to detail, and will also make sure we defend and play hard. I love her energy and believe she is a perfect fit for our young, talented team,” Interim General Manager Lin Dunn said.
Other stops in Sides’ twenty-year career include the WNBA’s Chicago Sky, where she spent six seasons as assistant coach; Northwestern University, where she was first an assistant and later associate head coach; and Louisiana State University, where she was an assistant for a program that advanced to three Women’s Final Fours.
Additionally, Sides enjoyed significant success overseas. She was an assistant for Spartak Moscow Region in Russia, where she helped capture consecutive FIBA EuroLeague Championships in 2009 and 2010 and lead the team to five Final Eight finishes overall. She also served as an assistant with the Slovakian Women’s National Team for two years in the same period.
“We are thrilled to have someone with Christie’s experience and record of success leading our young players to the next level,” Fever President Dr. Allison Barber said. “Coach Sides embodies our Fever tenets and focus. She is committed to excellence, competitive on the court and a contributor to our community.”
