INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Fever have announced the return of Steven Key as an assistant coach for the 2017 season. Key begins his second season with the Fever and his ninth in the WNBA.
Key joined the Indiana franchise in 2016 under former coach Stephanie White. He has been retained by current coach Pokey Chatman. Ironically, it was Chatman who succeeded Key as the Chicago Sky’s head coach and general manager in 2011.
Key began his coaching career in Germany and first entered the WNBA as an assistant with the Sky in 2006 and 2007. He was elevated to head coach and GM from 2008-10. A former college point guard at Boston University where he was named the American East Player of the Year in 1990, Key played professionally in the CBA and throughout Europe. He coached briefly again in Germany after leaving the Sky, prior to returning to the WNBA in 2014 with the Connecticut Sun.
“I’m excited to have Steven join my staff,” said Chatman. “His vast knowledge of the game and the WNBA, along with his experience with our Fever family, will be invaluable as we embark upon the 2017 season.”
A second assistant coach for the Fever is still to be named.
In a separate announcement, longtime Fever assistant coach Gary Kloppenburg has been named an assistant coach with the Seattle Storm. Kloppenburg, a lifelong West Coast resident whose parents live outside Seattle, served two stints with the Fever, totaling six seasons under Lin Dunn and Stephanie White. He returns to the Storm franchise where he coached with Dunn from 2000-02.
“I want to thank Gary Kloppenburg for all the hard work and dedication he gave to our franchise,” said Fever President and General Manager Kelly Krauskopf. Indiana reached the WNBA Playoffs in all six seasons with Kloppenburg on its staff, including WNBA Finals appearances in 2009 and 2015.
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