Was Christy Sides fired because of Caitlin Clark?
That’s a question a lot of people are asking, but there’s no straightforward answer. Personally, I’d be surprised if Caitlin Clark actively fought to keep her as coach, but let’s dive into the situation to see what’s going on.
When the post about Christy’s firing was announced, Jada Ji was one of the first to like it. You might wonder, why does a player liking a post matter? Well, Jada and Caitlin were together at the time, likely sitting right next to each other when the news broke. This raises questions: Did Caitlin Clark have anything to do with this decision?
Let’s break it down. While Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese respect each other, they’re not exactly friends. Remember the moment when Kennedy Carter took a cheap shot at Caitlin, and Angel celebrated? That’s bound to create some tension, just like anyone would feel if someone celebrated a cheap shot on them or their friend. There’s respect, but they’re competitors—not close friends.
So, when Connor McCaffrey liked certain tweets, it fueled more speculation about Caitlin’s circle. Then there’s Caitlin’s reaction to Christy’s coaching. Watch Caitlin’s body language coming out of timeouts, especially when she’s told to play as a decoy. She just walks out and stands there, like she knows that’s not her role. Caitlin Clark is there to make big shots, not play a decoy.
In fact, the only time Christy ran a play specifically for Caitlin, it was so poorly designed that Caitlin had to take an awkward, fading three-pointer from a tough angle. All of this begs the question: Did Caitlin want Christy out? Probably not enough to demand her firing, but she likely didn’t vouch for her either.
In a decision like this, the organization would likely ask key players like Caitlin, Aaliyah Boston, and Kelsey Mitchell for input. If Caitlin didn’t think Christy was the right fit, that opinion would carry weight. Christy Sides tried to control the game by slowing it down, but Iowa is a team that thrives on chaos. They play fast, make quick reads, and create opportunities in a dynamic style.
Slowing them down didn’t help; it made them hesitant after timeouts and started each quarter on a sluggish note. If anything, Christy’s approach just didn’t fit the team’s strengths. Iowa’s chaos-driven style almost won them a championship, and with just one more strong player like Cameron Brink, they could have gone all the way.
So, in the end, did Caitlin Clark get Christy Sides fired? Not directly, but it’s pretty clear her style and Christy’s coaching weren’t a match. And sometimes, a fresh start is what’s needed.
