Kelsey Mitchell on Indiana Fever WNBA Playoffs run: ‘Trying to be who I am’
Kelsey Mitchell scored a playoff career-high 34 points as the Indiana Fever won Game 1 of the second round of the WNBA playoffs against the Las Vegas Aces.
- Fever assistant coach Briann January is one of two coaches, along with Austin Kelly, who coach Stephanie White believes will lead WNBA teams.
- January is rumored for WNBA coaching jobs, four of which are open already, but said she’s focused on the Fever playoff series.
- Fever star Caitlin Clark credited January for helping her through injuries and rehab this season.
INDIANAPOLIS — Fever coach Stephanie White always thought she had future head coaches on her staff.
She pointed specifically to assistants Briann January and Austin Kelly, who took the reins when she had to miss two games on different occasions for a family emergency earlier in the 2025 season.
Kelly was the acting head coach, but January and fellow assistant Karima Christmas-Kelly took on bigger roles on the bench as well. In the two games White missed, Indiana recorded a win over Chicago and a loss to Golden State.
“When you look at Austin and you look at Bri, both of them are ready to be head coaches in this league,” White said. “We’re very fortunate that we have them on our staff.”
With the coaching carousel now in full swing, January may have a head coaching opportunity come her way soon.
There are four open coaching positions so far in the league for 2026. The Seattle Storm did not renew coach Noelle Quinn’s contract, nor did the New York Liberty renew Sandy Brondello’s after their teams were eliminated from the playoffs.
Expansion franchises Portland and Toronto are looking for their first coaches ahead of joining the league next season.
January has appeared on multiple coaching shortlists in the past couple weeks, highlighting her prowess in defensive scheming and experience as an assistant both in the WNBA and with the Detroit Pistons’ G-League affiliate.
As a longtime former player herself, she has developed strong relationships with the current players on the Fever. January received direct praise from Fever star Caitlin Clark earlier this season for being the person that has helped her mentally and emotionally through rehab and injuries.
As the Fever are in the middle of an improbable run to the WNBA semifinals, January isn’t thinking about potential coaching positions. She’s using this time to grow as a coach as much as possible, but keeping the door open for potential opportunities following the WNBA season.
“100% being where my feet are, you know, and I do think everything you do and everything that I do, I want to continue to be my best, and I’m continuing to grow,” January told IndyStar. “And whatever opportunities do present themselves after the season, whatever, but in this moment, this is great experience for me as a coach.
“I’m trying to grow, trying to be the best for my players, to see what it takes to be successful at this in this position, because I’ve never been here before, so it’s this is a growing opportunity for me, and I’m just doing everything that I can to prepare myself to be the best.”
Chloe Peterson is the Indiana Fever beat reporter for IndyStar. Reach her at [email protected] or follow her on X at @chloepeterson67. Get IndyStar’s Indiana Fever and Caitlin Clark coverage sent directly to your inbox with our Caitlin Clark Fever newsletter. Subscribe to IndyStar’s YouTube channel and join Fever Insiders Live postgame.
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