Christie Sides and the Indiana Fever have left the WNBA upside down. After coaching top recruits Aliyah Boston and Caitlin Clark, and leading the Fever to their first playoffs since 2016, Sides has been let go from the team. Amid changing sentiments about her firing, fans are now calling for an old face to help out the reigning WNBA ROTY.

While Stephanie White, the head coach of the Connecticut Sun, has been in talks for coaching three of now six teams without a head coach. Cheryl Miller has also been extended an invitation from fans who accepted that it was “fun” to be a part of the WNBA again and coach free to the talented WNBA stars in the All-Star Game. However, she did not hint at returning to the league.

But for the Fever, it’s really Lisa Bluder that Indiana wants because of the high rate of success Clark saw with the now-retired coach in Iowa. Having made trips to two back-to-back NCAA Championship title games, certainly the connection is there.

It’s not like Sides and Fever did not see success together. After two seasons and a 33-47 record, Sides rallied the young Fever to compete on par with veterans. She still had two years on her four-year contract left, but the team is now looking to bring in new blood. Could that be Lisa Bluder?

Fans want Fever to ring up Lisa Bluder to come out of retirement for Caitlin Clark

Along with Kate Martin and Caitlin Clark, Lisa Bluder won Iowa three consecutive Big Ten crowns from 2022 to 2024. The Hawkeyes also appeared in back-to-back Finals appearances in 2023 and 2024. Needless to say, this was a power combination that might translate to the pro league as well. Fans certainly agree.

One fan wrote in reply to the official announcement, “LISA BLUDER IS OTW!!!” Another expressed similar sentiments to ESPN’s announcement, “Lisa Bluder incoming” While there are no details of who Kelly Krauskopf and the rest will be looking for to replace Christie Sides, Bluder might at least be given a call.

She had resigned from Iowa in May once the ‘Iowa sensation’ was in the league but just yesterday was present at Kinnick Stadium to watch the Hawkeyes men’s football take on Northwestern. Caitlin Clark, Kate Martin, Gabbie Marshall, Monika Czinano, and Sidney Affolter, were among the many former players to join the melee as they returned to Iowa’s basketball court for their Big 10 ring ceremony.

After such a recent meetup, of course, fans are rooting for an official reunion! Even basketball reporter Rachel DeMita joined the fray by simply posting on X, “someone call Lisa Bluder 👀”

One fan brought in the other options, “Stephanie White…. Lisa Bluder….Cheryl Miller…. Who’s our next Coach? My bets on White and I’d be ok with that! 🏀” On the other hand, when Sirius XM host Nick Hamilton asked on X if some wanted White to come to Indiana, one fan said, “No I don’t. Fever wants someone like Lisa bluder who lets Caitlin run the show. White doesn’t coach that way.”

Needless to say, Caitlin Clark loyalists will be looking for the one person who made her known to the world and helped her become a sensation in women’s basketball. While Sides did her best in the two seasons she was here, it remains to be seen who the next person will be to actually take the Fever to the championship.

As Sides wrote, “Leave it better than you found it.✌🏼” The August 2024 Coach of the Week certainly has, but it’s time for a new journey!