Suns hire Monty Williams as head coach on reported 5-year deal
The Phoenix Suns announced Friday they have hired Monty Williams as their new head coach.
Williams' contract with Phoenix is a five-year agreement, reports The Athletic's Shams Charania, citing league sources.
The 47-year-old will replace Igor Kokoskov, who was fired after posting a Western Conference-worst 19-63 record during his lone season leading the Suns. Williams will be the 20th head coach in franchise history.
Currently an assistant with the Philadelphia 76ers, he will remain with the Sixers until the conclusion of their playoff run, league sources told Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
Williams has ties to Phoenix's front office, having coached general manager James Jones during the 2007-08 season as an assistant with the Portland Trail Blazers. Jeff Bower, the Suns' new senior vice president of basketball operations, also hired him as the New Orleans Pelicans' head coach in 2010. Williams went 173-221 across five seasons in the Big Easy, leading the club to two playoff appearances.
"I am thrilled to welcome Monty Williams to the Suns family as our next head coach," Jones said in a statement. "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 also reportedly a top candidate for the Los Angeles Lakers' head coaching vacancy.