In addition to his time in the G League, Strong played professionally for Maccabi Haifa in the Israeli Premier League from 2008-2010, and also with clubs in the Netherlands, Uruguay and, most recently, New Zealand in 2016. We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from. Please enter a valid email and try again. Born and raised in Springfield, Ohio, Ayers is a member of the Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame. Prior to becoming a coach in the NBA, Ayers coached collegiately, including eight seasons as head coach at The Ohio State University from 1989-1997. Mar 23 @ MIA, PHO (29-13) beat MIA, 110-100, 43. Blake played four seasons at the University of Maryland and guided the Terrapins to their only NCAA Championship as a junior in 2002 after the school made its first Final Four during his sophomore season in 2001. He played four seasons at Bucknell University from 2012-2016, helping lead the Bison to three postseason appearances including a 2013 NCAA tournament bid and two NIT berths. Prior to being selected with the 41st overall pick by Seattle in 2003, Green was a four-year standout at the University of Detroit Mercy. Prior to his time at Gonzaga, Fois served as a graduate assistant for the mens basketball program at Pepperdine University from 2012-2014. At 39, Green would become the third-youngest coach in the NBA behind the Oklahoma City Thunder's Mark Daigneault (35) and the Memphis Grizzlies' Taylor Jenkins (36). Feb 24, PHO (20-11) lost to CHO, 121-124, 32. Randle is currently coaching the Summer League Suns in Las Vegas. Dec 26 @ SAC, PHO (1-1) lost to SAC, 103-106, 3. KTAR. Phoenix Suns Arena In 2013, moved to the United States to pursue a . This is his first coaching gig. * 21+ (19+ CA-ONT) (18+ NH/WY). Suns starting 5 crushes Bulls in 2nd straight win with Kevin Durant, Suns new dimensions flash in Kevin Durants debut, win over Hornets, Kevin Durant gives strong 1st impression to Suns with 23 points in win, Josh Okogie gets Suns 5th starter nod alongside debuting Kevin Durant. Before returning to the NBA with Oklahoma City in 2015, Greer spent three seasons as an assistant coach at Arizona State University from 2012-2015. You may recall that Jack was the 22nd overall pick in the 2005 NBA Draft, the same draft in which Chris Paul went 4th overall. Frazier earned Patriot League All-Defensive Team honors as a senior in 2015-16, and also excelled in the classroom and community, twice earning the Arthur Ashe Sports Scholar Award as well as the 2014-15 Patriot League Award for Outstanding Leadership and Character. Gates coached under Williams in New Orleans, Jack played for him in New Orleans and Portland while Scalzi was with the Oklahoma City Thunder when Williams was an associate head coach there in 2015-16. Apr 10, PHO (37-15) beat WAS, 134-106, 53. Er erhielt in Phoenix einen Vertrag bis 2016 und soll die Suns wieder in den Bereich der Playoffs fhren. Entering the NBA as the 22nd overall pick in the 2005 NBA Draft, Jack played collegiately at the Georgia Institute of Technology where he led the Yellow Jackets to a national runner-up finish in 2004. [4] Cotton Fitzsimmons, Mike D'Antoni and Monty Williams are the only coaches to have won the NBA Coach of the Year Award with the Suns. Apr 8 @ LAC, PHO (36-15) lost to LAC, 103-113, 52. When Suns head coach Monty Williams served as an assistant in Oklahoma City during the 2015-16 season, he saw firsthand the discipline and dedication with which Durant approached basketball . He worked as an assistant coach with the Warriors when the team won back-to-back titles in 2017 and 2018. The 6-4 shooting guard played his first seven seasons in Philadelphia, including in 2007-08 when he averaged a career-high 12.4 points for the 76ers. In addition to his time at ASU, Greers coaching background includes serving as a college assistant coach at Wright State University (2003-2005), Boston University (1994-2003) and Brandeis University (1989-1992), in addition to working as recruiting coordinator at Boston College from 1992-1994. As previously reported on the HoopsHype podcast, the Wizards also interviewed several other assistant coaches, including Miami's Chris Quinn and former Hornets assistant coach Ronald. PHOENIX The Phoenix Suns today announced Head Coach Monty Williams coaching staff, naming Willie Green, Darko Rajakovic, Mark Bryant, Randy Ayers, Larry Greer and Steve Blake as assistant coaches, and Riccardo Fois and Ben Strong as player development coaches. Following a decorated collegiate career, Blake was the 38th overall pick in the second round of the 2003 NBA Draft. PHOENIX - The Phoenix Suns today announced Head Coach Monty Williams' coaching staff, naming Willie Green, Darko Rajakovic, Mark Bryant, Randy Ayers, Larry Greer and Steve Blake as. "Alvin Gentry Named Interim Head Coach by the Suns", "Suns Agree to Terms with Igor Kokokov To Become New Head Coach", "Suns Name Earl Watson Interim Head Coach", "Suns Relieve Earl Watson of Head Coaching Duties", "Suns Agree to Terms with Monty Williams To Become New Head Coach", National Basketball Association head coaches, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_Phoenix_Suns_head_coaches&oldid=1092301247, Lists of National Basketball Association head coaches by team, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Spent entire NBA head coaching career with the Suns, This page was last edited on 9 June 2022, at 12:48. Jan 30 @ DAL, PHO (10-8) beat DAL, 111-105, 19. He served as a player development coach for the Thunder the past two seasons, which followed five seasons as director of analysis and opposition scouting from 2014-2019, including when Williams was the teams associate head coach in 2015-16. The Phoenix Suns franchise has had 20 head coaches. Mike D'Antoni coached the Phoenix Suns the 20032008, to a Western Conference Finals appearance in 2005 and 2006. Following a lengthy playing career in the NBA G League and overseas, Strong entered the coaching ranks as assistant coach with the mens basketball program at Huntingdon College for two seasons from 2016-2018. Before his professional career, he was the 2007 NABC Division III Co-Player of the Year at Guilford College. A daily roundup of Phoenix Suns news from Bright Side of the Sun, By submitting your email, you agree to our, Suns add three coaches, promote Kevin Young to associate head coach, Recap: Phoenix Suns pull away from Chicago Bulls, 125-104 road win, Following an Okogie tone set, the Durant-Booker scoring tandem proves to be entirely too much of the Bulls, Suns vs. Mavericks on Sunday promises playoff-level atmosphere, No matter what the players say before tipoff, Open Thread: Suns at Bulls, Durant Part 2, Sign up for the He averaged career highs of 11.1 points and 7.3 rebounds with Westchester in 2014-15, then was a member of the New York Knicks team at NBA Summer League 2015. In the 2020-2021 NBA Season, Coach Williams led the Phoenix Suns to a 51-21 regular season record and a 2021 NBA Finals appearance - this was the Suns first NBA Finals appearance in 28 years (1993). Washington is an interesting fit, because they are in win-now mode with some young pieces flanking the dynamic duo of Bradley Beal and Russell Westbrook. NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - According to ESPN, Phoenix Suns assistant coach Willie Green is the frontrunner on a shortlist to become the next head coach of the New Orleans Pelicans.. Green has 12 years . Young played collegiately at Clayton State University prior to his coaching career. This was after the team had bid adieu to Jay Triano . The Phoenix Suns on Friday announced the addition of assistant coach Michael Ruffin, plus Jamal Gross and Corey Vinson to the title of player development coach/video coordinator. . Gambling problem? He would replace Stan Van Gundy, who left the Pelicans after just one season. 6:07pm: Former Jazz coach Quin Snyder has agreed to become the Hawks' head coach, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reports. May 13, PHO (49-21) beat POR, 118-117, 71. For part of his tenures with both the Thunder and Trail Blazers, Greer served as the advance scout for coaching staffs that included Williams. New faces will accompany Monty Williams for the 2021-22 season. May 5 @ ATL, PHO (47-19) lost to ATL, 103-135, 68. [1] It is also the last season under Robert Sarver 's ownership group, as he was suspended from league-wide activities on September 13, 2022 . Start your online subscription. Paul Westphal has the highest all-time winning percentage with the Suns with a .685 percentage. He was the Big Ten Coach of the Year in both seasons and was the consensus national coach of the year for 1990-91. It's hard to place an exact figure since the NBA doesn't disclose coaching salaries. Born in Manassas, Virginia, Strong grew up in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. In each of his first two seasons as a coach, he helped the Warriors win back-to-back NBA Championships in 2017 and 2018 before returning to the NBA Finals in 2019, and has received high praise from many in Golden States organization and beyond for his coaching knowledge and demeanor. Blake played in all 138 games during his college career and remains Marylands all-time leader in games started (136) and assists (972) with 200 more assists than second place. The start of the Kevin Durant era mid-season with the Phoenix Suns will be some brilliance mixed with some stagnation. Gates joins Williams staff after two seasons as an assistant coach with the Minnesota Timberwolves. A 12-year NBA veteran as a player, Green averaged 8.3 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 731 regular season games (297 starts) with Philadelphia, New Orleans, Atlanta, the LA Clippers and Orlando from 2003-2015. The 2021-22 Phoenix Suns season was their 54th season of the franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA), as well as their 29th season at the currently named Footprint Center, their first full season under that name after taking over the naming rights to the previously named Phoenix Suns Arena on July 16, 2021, during the 2021 NBA He served as an assistant coach for the Timberwolves in 2018-19 after working as the clubs advance scout in 2017-18. Durant finished with 23 points on 10-of-15 shooting in 27 minutes of Phoenix's 105-91 win over Charlotte before a sellout crowd of 19,137 that saw a glimpse of what the Suns (34-29) could be . Suns head coach Monty Williams has six assistant coaches working under him. [5] Alvin Gentry was named head coach after Terry Porter was dismissed by the Suns after 51 games in 2008. Jan 22, PHO (8-6) lost to DEN, 126-130, 15. His brother, Andy, is also an experienced NBA assistant coach. According to an article from The Washington Post published on New Year's Day 2019, NBA assistant coach salaries range from $100,000 to over $1 million depending on coaching experience. Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. He was a First Team All-Big East selection as a senior in 1987-88 when he averaged 20.5 points and 9.1 rebounds to lead the P.J. Jan 23, PHO (8-7) lost to DEN, 112-120, 16. Jan 11 @ WAS, PHO (7-4) lost to WAS, 107-128, 12. He has since been replaced by former Suns player Jeff Hornacek. Mar 13, PHO (25-12) lost to IND, 111-122, 39. NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 09: Willie Green appears at the 7th Annual New York City TopSpin Charity [+] Event at Metropolitan Pavilion on December 9, 2015 in New York City. He served as a player development coach and director of analysis and opposition scouting, including when Williams was the teams associate head coach in 2015-16. Durant, a four-time scoring champion, now sets his sights on Hakeem Olajuwon in 12th place. Phoenix coach Monty Williams is hiring Bryan Gates as an assistant to replace Willie Green, who left to become New Orleans head coach, sources tell ESPN. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images), (Photo by Jevone Moore/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images). The Phoenix Suns franchise has had 20head coaches. Mar 26 @ TOR, PHO (30-14) beat TOR, 104-100, 45. 38.5, Arena: [5] He spent six seasons as an assistant coach at Ohio State before elevating to the programs head coaching position. Feb 28 @ MIN, PHO (22-11) beat MIN, 118-99, 34. According to a warrant for Morrow's arrest, he's facing charges of assault by strangulation, second-degree kidnapping and communicating threats. In 2021, Michael Ruffin became an Assistant Coach for the Phoenix Suns. He led the ACC in assists per game in each of his final three seasons, and led the NCAA in total assists in 2002. Suns reportedly hiring Pistons executive Josh Bartelstein as CEO, Devin Booker wins Olympic gold medal, Kevin Durant leads USA over France, Report: Suns to hire assistant Bryan Gates as Willie Green's replacement, Suns Deandre Ayton questionable vs. Mavericks, Ross probable, Ja Morant says hell get help; video shows apparent gun. All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. Support local journalism. Posted: Jul 22, 2021 / 04:18 PM EDT. He averaged 10.8 points and 4.6 assists over 867 career regular season games with Portland, Indiana, Toronto, New Orleans, Golden State, Cleveland, Brooklyn and New York. The SPORTS REFERENCE and STATHEAD trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference LLC. Blake, 39, comes to Phoenix after spending the last two seasons working for the Portland Trail Blazers. Jarrett Jack, a 13-year veteran of the NBA, played two seasons for Monty Williams in New Orleans. You may opt-out by. Prior to his time on the Sixers coaching staff, Young spent nine seasons as a coach in the NBA G League, including time as head coach of the Delaware Blue Coats, Iowa Energy and Utah Flash. Feb 16, PHO (17-10) lost to BRK, 124-128, 28. Welcome to the Valley. Strong, 32, joins the Suns after spending the 2018-19 season in player development for the Philadelphia 76ers where he worked alongside Williams to help the Sixers reach the Eastern Conference Semifinals. New Orleans has an enticing core led by Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram that would make any coach giddy to lead them. The Memphis forward sustained the injury Friday night during the 1st quarter of the Grizzlies 113-97 loss to the Nuggets. Jan 8 @ DET, PHO (6-3) lost to DET, 105-110, 10. Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-787-1240. Coach Ruffin was born in Denver, Colorado and played for and graduated from the University of Tulsa. [6] Gentry left the Phoenix Suns under mutual agreement to part ways on January 18, 2013. Young joined Williams staff in Phoenix last season. Mar 31, PHO (33-14) beat CHI, 121-116, 49. MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JULY 20: Head coach Monty Williams of the Phoenix Suns signals to his team during the first half in Game Six of the NBA Finals against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on July 20, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Both he and Williams worked together in 2018-19 under Brent Brown. The Suns rapid rise will lead to some franchises trying to poach important pieces away wherever they can. The Bulldogs advanced at least as far as the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament in all five of Fois seasons, and he helped the program reach its first-ever Final Four in 2017, played in Arizona, when Gonzaga finished as national runner-up. Also named were Jamal Gross. Have opinion about current state of theSuns? Before beginning his career as an NBA assistant coach, Gates spent three seasons as head coach of the NBA G Leagues Idaho Stampede from 2006-2009, compiling a 101-51 (.644) record, twice winning the NBA G League Coach of the Year Award and guiding the Stampede to the 2008 NBA G League Championship. Executive Director of Phoenix Suns Charities: 2018-2019: 5-United States: Blake Pallansch: Manager, The Source: . The Suns have promoted Kevin Young to associate head coach. For his career, Blake averaged 6.5 points and 4.0 assists while shooting 38.3% from three-point range in 870 regular season games (347 starts) with Washington, Portland (three tenures), Milwaukee, Denver, the LA Clippers, the Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State and Detroit from 2003-2016. Rajakovic served as the Thunders head coach at NBA Summer League in 2014 and 2015. Philadelphia announced the coaches who will join Doc Rivers this upcoming season. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. Prior to joining Oklahoma Citys organization, Scalzi spent seven years as the director of basketball operations for the mens basketball program at Northeastern University. He has Phoenix ranked in the top 10 in opponents points per game and defensive rating. "At the beginning of the season, even last season, Coach . Langston Galloway joins Warriors on training camp deal, per report, Chris Paul teams with hoops hall of fame for HBCU double-header in Phoenix, Ja Morant says hell get help; video shows apparent gun. Attendance: Ayers, 63, brings to the Suns over 35 years of coaching experience, including as an NBA and college head coach, and has most recently spent the past three seasons as a pro scout with the Brooklyn Nets. Jan 18 @ MEM, PHO (7-5) lost to MEM, 104-108, 13. The way Green has been able to relate to players, while also keeping them in line with great fundamental tutelage, is a solid base to become a future NBA head coach. Learn more and register, Height of bar is margin of victory Mouseover bar for details Click for box score Grouped by Month, 2. Greer helped the Sun Devils to consecutive 20-win seasons in his first two years in Tempe, including an NCAA tournament appearance in 2014. [7] He was replaced by Lindsey Hunter halfway through the 201213 NBA season. SUNS Motivator: Phoenix Suns hiring Bryan Gates as an assistant coach after Willie Green departure Born in Anchorage, Alaska and the father of triplets, Gates has a special bond with Suns. Won NBA Western Conference First Round (4-2) versus Los Angeles Lakers E-Mail: karen.marrero@nbacoaches.com. Feb 20 @ MEM, PHO (19-10) beat MEM, 128-97, 30. Green, 37, joins the Suns following three seasons as assistant coach/player development for the Golden State Warriors. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Two of those seasons were played under Williams and Gates with Chris Paul in New Orleans. 10 pick in the upcoming draft and a plethora of future picks from the trades that sent Anthony Davis to the Los Angeles Lakers and Jrue Holiday to the Milwaukee Bucks. The Phoenix Suns, as they attempt to defend their Western Conference Championship, will have a slew of new faces assisting head coach Monty Williams for the 2021-22 season. Ayers has spent 17 total seasons on an NBA bench and was head coach of the Philadelphia 76ers for the majority of the 2003-04 season. The Dallas Mavericks have had the Phoenix Suns' number since the tail-end of their playoff series. With success comes more attention, which is exactly whats happening for the Phoenix Suns during their deep playoff run. NBA.com is part of Warner Media, LLCs Turner Sports & Entertainment Digital Network, *Translations are limited to select pages, Joerger, Cassell join Sixers' coaching staff, Former NBA guard Mo Williams named Alabama State coach, Jazz add Dell Demps, Keyon Dooling to coaching staff, 5 stats to know for 76ers-Bucks matchup on ABC, Brooks suspended after receiving 16th technical foul, Grizzlies' Clarke (torn achilles) out indefinitely, Ja issues apology, will miss 'at least' 2 games, Ex-NBA player Morrow facing assault charges, Durant passes 'Big O' for 13th in career points. The Phoenix Suns announced in a press release the promotion of Kevin Young to associate head coach, as well as the additions of Bryan Gates, Jarrett Jack and Steve Scalzi as assistant coaches. Opp PTS/G: Find out more. In his role at Gonzaga, Fois handled video breakdown and exchange, evaluated player analytics and assisted the coaching staff with day-to-day program operations. AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, (select parishes), MD, MI, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY, CA-ONT only.Eligibility restrictions apply. The Pelicans went 31-41 in 2020-21, a disappointing result after the season started with playoff aspirations. Stay in the know. Maurice Cheeks, Josh Longstaff, John Bryant, Damian Cotter and Billy Schmidt join head coach Billy Donovans staff. Whether Green finds that promotion in 2021 or later on, theres no doubt Green wont be in the assistant chair long under Williams. Mar 11 @ POR, PHO (25-11) beat POR, 127-121, 37. The New Orleans Pelicans are nearing completion on a deal to hire Phoenix Suns assistant Willie Green as head coach, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski and Andrew Lopez. Ayers best seasons came in 1990-91 and 1991-92 when he led the Buckeyes to consecutive No. Overall, the 6-9 power forward averaged 6.0 points on 52.2% shooting and 4.1 rebounds in 111 games (40 starts) with Phoenix, in addition to 6.4 points and 3.4 rebounds in eight playoff games. Hired in 2018, Serbian coach Igor Kokokov became the first head coach born and raised outside of North America to be hired as a head coach in NBA history. Im November und Dezember 2021 blieben die Suns 18 Spiele in Folge ungeschlagen und stellten . SUNS Part 2: Jarrett Jack reunites with Chris Paul, Monty Williams and Suns GM James Jones in coaching role In Part 2 of The Republic's 1-on-1 Q&A, Jarrett Jack talks about his role as an. Call 1-800-GAMBLER. May 15 @ SAS, PHO (50-21) beat SAS, 140-103, 72. Orlando is beginning their rebuild officially after toiling around for years in limbo. Bryant, 54, played two seasons with the Suns from 1996-1998, posting career highs of 9.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 55.3% shooting in 1996-97. Bryant and Williams were teammates together with the 76ers for part of the 2002-03 season. Suns assistant and former NBA player Willie Green is nearing completion on a deal with the Pelicans to become the team's next head coach, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. A graduate of Boise State University, Gates also has experience as an assistant coach in the G League and as head coach of the Oklahoma Storm in the United States Basketball League, Hickory Nutz in the Carolinas Basketball League and Beirut Blues Stars in the Lebanese Basketball League. Brian Agler: A very successful former WNBA coach, Agler won titles with Seattle (2010) and Los Angeles (2016). Before his coaching career, Ayers played at Miami and led the team to an upset of defending champion Marquette in the first round of the 1978 NCAA tournament. On August 7, 2021, Young was promoted to the role of associate head coach for the Suns. Mar 30, PHO (32-14) beat ATL, 117-110, 47. The immediate future seems bright in New Orleans with two young All-Stars in Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram. Does that change with two new stars? Apr 21 @ PHI, PHO (42-16) beat PHI, 116-113, 59. Frazier, 26, comes to Phoenix after serving as a video/player development assistant with the Milwaukee Bucks this past season, helping the Bucks reach the Eastern Conference Finals. Green also has previous experience in New Orleans, as he played one season with the team in 2010-11, when it was the Hornets. An NBA assistant coach since 2009, he also holds experience on the bench of the Sacramento Kings from 2016-2019, a first tenure with Minnesota in 2015-16, five seasons with the New Orleans Hornets/Pelicans from 2010-2015 and a first tenure with Sacramento in 2009-10. Monty Williams current head coach of the Phoenix Suns. Jan 20 @ HOU, PHO (8-5) beat HOU, 109-103, 14. The native of New York, New York received his bachelors degree from Northeastern. Prior to joining the Thunder organization, Rajakovic spent three years as head coach of Torrelodones in Spain. After being with the Golden State Warriors working under Steve Kerr, Green joined Monty Williams staff in Phoenix when he was hired during the 2019 offseason. At the time, the Hawks were expected to conduct a wide-ranging search but . The Suns never have been coached by a Basketball Hall of Fame inductee. Looking at 5 key stats heading into Saturday's clash between top East teams Philadelphia and Milwaukee. The Gates announcement came earlier in the summer following the departure of Willie Green to the New Orleans Pelicans. When he first moved to the United States, Fois played one season at Pepperdine in 2007-08 and was named to the WCC Commissioners Honor Roll. In 2011-12, served as a seasonal assistant strength and conditioning coach for the Tokai men's basketball, the year the team won a national title. Rajakovic (pronounced RYE-ahk-oe-vich), 40, comes to the Suns after seven seasons with the Oklahoma City Thunder organization, spending the last five as an assistant coach. A member of the coaching staff on nine teams to qualify for the playoffs, Ayers was an assistant coach on Philadelphias Eastern Conference Championship team in 2001. Feb 3 @ NOP, PHO (11-9) lost to NOP, 101-123, 27. Or write about sports? The Phoenix Suns are an American professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. Ayers also spent two seasons as an assistant coach with both the Orlando Magic (2005-2007) and Washington Wizards (2007-2009), and another season as an assistant coach with Philadelphia in 2009-10, before joining Williams staff in New Orleans. 'Whatever seed we are, we're ready': Is there room for Cleveland among the East elite? The Pelicans also have the No. Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton has a right knee contusion that could cause him to miss Sunday's game against the Dallas Mavericks. Apr 19 @ MIL, PHO (41-16) beat MIL, 128-127, 58. Western Conference, PTS/G: [8] Former Pelicans coach Monty Williams was hired to coach the team on May 3, 2019. [4] Cotton Fitzsimmons, Mike D'Antoniand Monty Williamsare the only coaches to have won the NBA Coach of the Year Awardwith the Suns. Player development/video coordinator: Jamal Gross. The Phoenix Suns have hired Michael Ruffin, who coached under Williams in New Orleans, added Jamal Gross as player development coach/video coordinator and elevated Corey Vinson to the same titles as he was an assistant in both areas with the team last year. 115.3 (7th of 30) The 2022-23 Phoenix Suns season is their 55th season of the franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA), as well as their 30th season at the Footprint Center. Strong was a two-time All-American, two-time Old Dominion Athletic Conference Player of the Year and three-time all-conference selection at Guilford, leaving as the Quakers second all-time leading scorer. He qualified for the playoffs seven times in his 12 seasons, averaging 5.2 points in 36 career playoff games (12 starts). CHAMPAIGN, Ill. --Brian Randle will be on a NBA bench next season as an assistant coach.The former Illinois forward has been hired by the Phoenix Suns to join Monty Williams' coaching staff for . In his first season, he led Torrelodones to the championship of the Primera Division de Baloncesto in Madrid, earning promotion to Liga EBA, Spains fourth-tier professional league. All thats missing with the Pelicans is stability and internal growth from a young roster. Rajakovic began his coaching career at 16 years old with the youth teams of Borac Cacak in his hometown of Cacak, Serbia. (Series Stats)Lost NBA Finals (2-4) versus Milwaukee Bucks Greer joins the Suns following two seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves. [4] In his first year as associate head coach, Young became the Suns' acting head coach for a four game stretch in late December/ early January with Monty Williams in health and safety protocols.