Indiana Fever fire coach, general manager Pokey Chatman after three seasons
The Indiana Fever are now officially rebuilding their organization.
The Fever fired head coach and general manager Pokey Chatman after just three seasons with the team, the team announced on Monday.
“We want to thank Pokey for her time with our franchise and we wish her the absolute best,” said Fever vice president of basketball operations Tamika Catchings. “Our organization is optimistic about our future as we continue to build on our 20-year legacy as one of the WNBA’s most successful franchises.”
Chatman — who spent six seasons leading the Chicago Sky before her time in Indianapolis — compiled a 28-74 record over three years in Indiana and failed to reach the postseason, snapping a league-record 12-year streak. Chatman did lead the Fever to a 13-21 record this season, the best under her tenure.
“Thank you Rick Fuson/KK for the opportunity to lead the Fever,” Chatman tweeted on Monday. “I truly believe the foundation has been laid with franchise players, who possess a skill set needed to match trends in our game which will lead to success! To the players, thank you! Your commitment and growth, under tough circumstance, makes me proud! Wishing each of you all the best! It’s coming!”
Catchings, who played for the Fever for 15 seasons before taking the front office role, said the team will begin searching for a new coach and general manager immediately, though didn’t specify a timeline. The first goal, she told the Indianapolis Star, is to find a head coach. Catchings ruled herself out for that position, however.
She also believes the team has “a lot of great pieces to build around,” too — especially with Kelsey Mitchell and Teaira McCowan, who the Fever took in the past two drafts.
“We’re looking at that 2012 team and looking to get back to the championship,” Catchings said, via the Indianapolis Star. “We have a young team and we’re looking to build off that.”
More from Yahoo Sports:
