Los Angeles (United States) (AFP) – The Phoenix Suns named Jordan Ott as their new head coach on Friday following the sacking of Mike Budenholzer. Ott, 40, joins the team after a successful season as assistant coach at the Cleveland Cavaliers, who finished top of the Eastern Conference standings.
The Suns head coaching job has been the hottest of hot seats in recent seasons, with Budenholzer dismissed in April after just a single season in charge. Prior to Budenholzer, Frank Vogel lasted just one campaign before being ousted after the 2023-2024 season. Monty Williams, the NBA’s Coach of the Year in 2022, was dismissed in 2023. Both Budenholzer and Vogel were hired after leading rival teams to an NBA title in recent seasons, Budenholzer with Milwaukee in 2021 and Vogel with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020.
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Suns owner Mat Ishbia said Ott — who has never worked as a head coach before — had been chosen because he embodied “the culture of excellence and accountability we’re going to prioritize.”
“He is young, hungry and is ready to be an NBA head coach,” Ishbia said in a statement. “His track record of developing players, fostering team chemistry, and his understanding of the game at the highest level are essential skills to how we are building for our future.”
Ott meanwhile described his appointment as a “dream come true.” “My goal is to build a culture that across all levels – from coaches to players to support staff – will work hard every single day to put a product on the floor that makes our fans proud,” Ott said.
© 2024 AFP
