Field Level Media - Professional sports content solutions | FLM

The Phoenix Suns hired Monty Williams as their new head coach on Friday.
Williams, currently an assistant with the Philadelphia 76ers, replaces the fired Igor Kokoskov and becomes the Suns’ seventh head coach in eight years for owner Robert Sarver.

Williams will join the Suns after the 76ers’ current postseason run concludes. They lead the Toronto Raptors 2-1 in the second round.
He had also been a candidate for the Los Angeles Lakers’ head coach opening.
“I am thrilled to welcome Monty Williams to the Suns family as our next head coach,” general manager James 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.”
The Suns are coming off a season in which they finished with the worst record in the Western Conference at 19-63.
Williams, 47, was the New Orleans Pelicans’ head coach from 2010-15, compiling a 173-221 record. In five seasons, his teams reached the postseason twice, losing in the first round each time.
Williams also served as an assistant coach for the Portland Trail Blazers (2005-10) and Oklahoma City Thunder (2015-16) before taking a job with the 76ers under head coach Brett Brown last June.
–Field Level Media (@FieldLevelMedia)