Suns owner Mat Ishbia ’embarrassed’ by 2024-25 season
At a Phoenix Suns press conference, team owner Mat Ishbia said he’s setting standards for what he expects from all coaching hires going forward.
Phoenix Suns team owner Mat Ishbia not only promised they’ll get the next head coach hire right this time, but he also described what qualities they desire at that position.
“We’re going to look for someone that fits the vision of Phoenix Suns basketball organization,” Ishbia said during an April 17 press conference. “Someone who is going to live out exactly what I’m talking about. Someone who is a little bit grimy, a little bit grinder, a little bit tough. Have a little bit of that in them. I joke, but it’s true, I’m no talent, all heart. That’s my life. I will just outwork everyone. I’m going to have a coach, a front office, players, that the Phoenix community will love because it’s going to be that.”
What coaches fit that description as the Suns will have their fourth head coach in as many seasons in 2025-26?
Jared Dudley
For starters, the current Dallas Mavericks assistant was a fan favorite as a player in Phoenix in two separate stints (2008-13, 2016-18). Second, he and Devin Booker were teammates during that second run. Third, he has established himself as a quality assistant and isn’t too far removed from being a player (last NBA season 2020-21).
Johnnie Bryant
He’s in his first year with the Cleveland Cavaliers as an assistant after two stints with the Utah Jazz and New York Knicks. Bryant was the associate head coach in New York under Tom Thibodeau, a defensive savant. Well respected, Bryant is known for player development. Growing up in a single-parent home in Oakland, Bryant is a tireless worker.
Kevin Young
Young interviewed for the Suns’ job, but stayed as an assistant under Frank Vogel last season before landing at BYU. He’s had several interviews for NBA head coaching vacancies. Back in his home state, Young coached the Cougars to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament this year.
Booker loves him, but so does BYU.
Young has landed the nation’s top recruit in AJ Dybantsa. As good as it’s going in Provo, could a chance to finally be an NBA coach lure him away?
Jerry Stackhouse
He’s put in the work at the college level with Vanderbilt and is in his third year in the NBA as an assistant. Working under Steve Kerr in Golden State, Stackhouse is a former NBA player who won a G League championship as a head coach for Raptors 905 in 2016-17. Brings work ethic and discipline.
Chris Quinn
The Miami Heat assistant has learned from one of the best in Erik Spoelstra. He’s seen Heat culture up close and personal as a player and assistant. Has been viewed as a future NBA coach for years. The Heat have battled through the play-in tournament to earn the eighth seed with Quinn serving as the associate head coach.
David Fizdale
The former NBA head coach has been with the Suns as an assistant these past two years under two different head coaches in Frank Vogel and Mike Budenholzer, two guys who won NBA championship as head coaches, but were let go after one season. Fizdale had the respect of the locker room and certainly gets after it as a coach.
More names
Michael Malone (former NBA head coach). The Denver Nuggets fired him near the end of the regular just two years removed from Malone coaching them to an NBA title in 2022-23.
Taylor Jenkins (former NBA head coach). The Memphis Grizzlies parted ways from Jenkins, who coached under Budenholzer in Atlanta and Milwaukee. Great at player development.
Mike Brown (former NBA head coach). He coached LeBron James in Cleveland when the Cavaliers reached the finals in 2007. The Sacramento Kings fired him during this season.
Jeff Van Gundy (former NBA head coach, current lead assistant for the Los Angeles Clippers under Tyronn Lue). Van Gundy left the broadcast booth to get back into coaching.
Sam Cassell (former NBA player, current assistant with the Boston Celtics under Joe Mazzulla). The Celtics won an NBA championship last season with Cassell as an assistant.
Brian Shaw (former NBA player, was a longtime assistant with the Los Angeles Lakers). He’s been an assistant for the Clippers since 2021-22 season. Shaw served two seasons as a head coach in Denver (56-85 record from 2013-15).
Lloyd Pierce (former NBA head coach for three seasons in Atlanta (2018-21, went 63-120). He’s in his fourth season as an assistant for the playoff-bound Pacers, a fourth seed in the East.
Jay Hernandez (longtime NBA assistant coach). Has had three stops with the Orlando Magic, Charlotte Hornets and is now with the Brooklyn Nets.
Have opinions about the current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-810-5518. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.
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