"It's inevitable," "They are coming for our girl": Fever fans crash out as Stephanie White's trusted deputy linked to rival head coach job

The first year of Stephanie White's second stint as the Indiana Fever's head coach has been a success. Despite dealing with constant injury setbacks, White has done a tremendous job leading the franchise to the ongoing WNBA semifinals. She has also received strong support from her assistant coaches, including Briann January, who have all made a significant impact.

January’s contributions as White's trusted deputy have not gone unnoticed as she has now been linked to a head coaching job with a rival team. The Seattle Storm recently parted ways with Noelle Quinn after being eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. With the head coach position in Seattle now open, January is among the handful of names being considered for the role.

According to a report from Front Office Sports' Annie Costabile, multiple assistant coaches are viewed as candidates to replace Quinn, and January is one of them. Fever fans, meanwhile, were left dejected by the prospect of January potentially leaving the franchise.

"I have a bad feeling they are coming for our girl," a fan commented.

Ken Swift

@kenswift

I have a bad feeling they are coming for our girl.

Another commented:

CC Report (Taylor's Version)

@cc22report

At some point once we start having success you gotta assume teams are gonna want a piece of that, and if they can't get Steph herself to leave the Fever that's gonna mean going after the assistants I kind of thought we'd be safe from that year one But considering our postseason

A fan said:

Merrikaty

@merrikatydid

Nooo I would legitimately crash out 😭

Said another:

Kelsaw Link

@Tha_Linksta

Don't know if Sue Bird is still involved with Storm ownership, but she likes January. Said Briann was one of the toughest defenders she ever faced as a player.

A fan wrote:

SHP

@2000SHP

Grass isn’t always greener … and no doubt Indiana is something special! Hope she makes the right choice … but W fires coaches like people change socks

Wrote another:

Myra

@myra_bp

I mean, we can't blame her if she wants to coach her own team, not just an assistant. Although I still hope she stays with Fever.

Stephanie White's assistant Briann January helped Caitlin Clark immensely

Caitlin Clark battled three separate injuries during the 2025 WNBA season. Stephanie White's assistant coach, Briann January, played a massive role in Clark's comeback after the first two injuries. The two-time All-Star highlighted how January was heavily involved in her rehabilitation and supported her during the toughest moments of her career.

"Coach Bri, she's been through injuries herself and she's always kind of just been there," Clark said earlier in the season.

"Even if I'm in the weight room extra after practice, like she'll come in there and and talk to me and just help me work through the extra lifting that I have to do, because she's experienced those type of things as a player and she kind of knows how it goes, and knows that those days can get long. So I really appreciate her."

Meanwhile, January has never held a head coaching position in the WNBA. She has served as an assistant coach for two teams, including the Fever. Her first assistant coaching role came with the Connecticut Sun in 2023, where she remained for two years.