Caitlin Clark's Former Coach Lisa Bluder Draws Attention After Indiana Fever's New Hire
By Matt Audilet,
8 hours ago
The Indiana Fever made a big-time front-office move on Friday, announcing the hire of longtime WNBA executive Amber Cox as the organization's new Chief Operating Officer and General Manager.
Cox, who spent previous stints with the Phoenix Mercury, Connecticut Sun and Dallas Wings, replaces now-former GM Lin Dunn.
Dunn is moving into a Senior Advisor role with the Fever franchise.
“I am excited to be joining the Fever during this historic time in the WNBA, and I am grateful to Kelly, Fever ownership, and Mel Raines for this opportunity,” Cox said in a statement on Friday. “From the top down, there is a commitment to invest in the Fever to ensure the team’s continued growth and success, and I look forward to contributing to a world-class experience for our fans, as well as our players, both on and off the court.”
With Cox now at the helm, some fans are questioning the future of current Fever head coach Christie Sides.
Sides faced criticism from fans throughout the 2024 WNBA season, specifically regarding her handling of No. 1 overall pick and 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year Caitlin Clark.
Fans have floated a couple names that they would like to replace Sides as the Fever's head coach, including former Iowa Hawkeyes coach Lisa Bluder.
"Please hire Lisa Bluder as your next head coach! Thank you and God bless!" one fan wrote.
"Lisa Bluder, congratulations on being the new coach of the Indiana Fever," another said.
"I sincerely hope Caitlin is able to put aside any optimism she may have that Sides is going to change. We need a Lisa Bluder or Cheryl Miller," another added.
Bluder was Clark's head coach for all four years of her record-breaking college basketball career with Iowa. Bluder, a 34-year head coaching veteran, announced her retirement from coaching following Clark's decision to enter the 2024 WNBA Draft.
Bluder recorded a video message for Clark congratulating her on her Rookie of the Year award earlier this week.
Iowa’s Caitlin Clark (22) talks to coach Lisa Bluder while playing Holy Cross in a first-round NCAA Tournament game Saturday, March 23, 2024 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
Julia Hansen&solIowa City Press-Citizen &sol USA TODAY NETWORK
"What an amazing accomplishment," Bluder said. "Who would have thought that all those years ago back in Des Moines, Iowa that this would be the case right now? We knew what we had in Caitlin back in Iowa City and we knew the attention she was bringing around the Big Ten and collegiate basketball. But we didn't know how that was going to transcend into the WNBA. And obviously we can see that it's done pretty darn well. People are excited to see her play at every level.
"You've worked for it. You deserve it. It's an incredible honor and we are so proud of you, always."
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