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Monty Williams gets Suns head coaching job
By InsideHoops.comMay 3, 2019
2:55 p.m. ET
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The Phoenix Suns today announced that Monty Williams will become the team’s new head coach.Williams, 47 years old, won't begin his new job as the 20th head coach in Suns history right away. He's busy in the NBA playoffs as an assistant coach with the Philadelphia 76ers, who in the second round are facing the Toronto Raptors. Williams will become the Suns' head coach once the Sixers postseason run ends.
Suns General Manager James Jones, of course, is pleased with his decision. “I am thrilled to welcome Monty Williams to the Suns family as our next head coach,” said Jones. “Monty brings a wealth of NBA experience, both as a coach and former player, in addition to being a high-character individual who will infuse basketball wisdom and life lessons into our locker room. Monty is well respected for his coaching pedigree, leadership and commitment to the community, all of which make him the ideal person to lead our team moving forward.”
Williams was head coach of the New Orleans Hornets/Pelicans in 2010-15, and has spent seven seasons as an assistant coach, plus two seasons in a front office role, one season as a coaching intern and nine seasons as a player.
As an NBA player, Williams in nine years averaged 6.3 points in 456 career games with the Knicks, Spurs, Nuggets, Magic and Sixers.
The Suns finished the 2017-18 regular season with a 19-63 record, easily the worst in the Western conference. They were led in scoring by Devin Booker at 26.6 points per game, and enjoyed good rookie play from center Deandre Ayton, who averaged 16.3 points and 10.3 rebounds per game.
The Suns were ranked 28th in offense and 29th in defense for the season. Monty has his work cut out for him.