Suns Hire Monty Williams as Head Coach

(AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)

Monty Williams has signed a five-year contract to beome the next head coach of the Phoenix Suns. 

10 days after firing Igor Kokoskov, the Suns hired their reported top coaching target in Williams, who was also heavily interviewed by the Los Angeles Lakers. Williams is currently an assistant coach with the Philadelphia 76ers.

“I am thrilled to welcome Monty Williams to the Suns family as our next head coach,” said Suns General Manager James Jones said in a release. “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 spent five seasons as the New Orleans Pelicans’ head coach from 2010-15. He was also a seven-year NBA assistant prior to that and also was an assistant on Team USA’s basketball team from 2013-16 with a roster that featured Carmelo Anthony, DeMar Derozan and Kyrie Irving.