Indiana Fever Terminates Assistant Coach Austin Kelly Over Controversial Post Following Charlie Kirk’s Death…
In a swift and decisive move, the Indiana Fever announced the termination of assistant coach Austin Kelly on Friday, just hours after a social media post he made surfaced, appearing to mock the recent death of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. The post, deleted shortly after it drew backlash, has ignited debates over free speech, workplace standards, and the intersection of politics in professional sports.
Kelly, 32, joined the Fever’s staff in November 2024 under head coach Stephanie White, with whom he had previously collaborated at Vanderbilt University and the Connecticut Sun. Known for his recruiting prowess and player development skills, Kelly stepped up as acting head coach earlier this season during White’s brief personal leave, guiding the team to a 79-52 victory over the Chicago Sky. His dismissal marks a turbulent turn for the Fever, who are navigating a rebuilding phase buoyed by stars like Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston.
The controversy erupted late Thursday when Kirk, 31, the founder of Turning Point USA and a vocal Trump ally, died unexpectedly from complications related to a rare cardiac condition. Tributes poured in from conservative circles, but online reactions were polarized, with some left-leaning users expressing schadenfreude amid Kirk’s history of inflammatory rhetoric on issues like abortion, LGBTQ+ rights, and election integrity.
Kelly’s now-deleted X post, timestamped minutes after news of Kirk’s passing broke, read: “One less voice poisoning the discourse. Rest in power to the resistance—or whatever. #MovingOn.” Screenshots spread rapidly, amassing thousands of shares and replies. Critics labeled it “heartless” and “unprofessional,” while supporters defended it as a raw response to Kirk’s divisiveness. “This man sugar-coated what he said about Kirk and still got fired. This is insane!” tweeted user @kelrey84, echoing sentiments from progressive corners.
Fever president Kelly Krauskopf issued a terse statement: “The Indiana Fever prides itself on fostering an inclusive environment. While we respect personal views, public statements from staff must align with our values of unity and respect. We have parted ways with Austin Kelly effective immediately.” The team did not elaborate on internal deliberations but emphasized no further comment.
Reactions have been swift and split. Conservative outlets like Fox News decried the firing as “woke overreach,” drawing parallels to recent dismissals of a Carolina Panthers communications staffer and a Phoenix Suns beat writer for similar posts. “Consequences for hate,” one X user posted, celebrating the move. Progressive voices, however, hailed it as accountability. “Grounds for being fired. Fuck this fascist,” wrote @PatTheSocialist, garnering over 300 likes.
WNBA insiders suggest the decision was influenced by the league’s growing emphasis on social media protocols amid heightened scrutiny. The Fever, fresh off a playoff run, risk alienating fans in a politically charged climate. “Sports isn’t politics, but coaches represent the brand,” said ESPN analyst Rebecca Lobo. Kelly, reached via email, declined comment but updated his LinkedIn to reflect his departure.
As the Fever prepare for their next matchup against the New York Liberty, questions linger: Will this bolster team cohesion or expose deeper fractures? In an era where off-court actions echo louder than buzzer-beaters, Kelly’s exit serves as a stark reminder—post wisely, or pay the price.
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