The Next Head Coach

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

Coaching search thread!! All rumors, speculation, suggestions, etc. here!

I doubt it will be Watson. Good guy, but probably a better coach for a team more solidly in the "rebuilding" category. After this draft, I can't see us staying down - we'll be moving up the standings and trying to compete for 2017 free agents, not the 2017 draft class. Besides, we have a small insurance policy in that Miami pick...

So who's it gonna be? Thibs? Walton? D'Antoni's probably taking over in Philly, and Wright's not coming here. I, for one, would prefer to see a seasoned coach who can instill discipline and focus on X's and O's rather than character. We no longer have any rotten Morrises to keep in check. We don't need a player's coach to take orders from a LeBron. We need a general. We have the talent, now we just need to make it work for us.

I've never been more interested in getting a top-notch coach than I am right now. The coaching problem was evident as early as preseason, when we got our butts kicked by Dallas's much worse roster. No reason for that. Now is the time to get a great coach and start moving up the standings. Now. GO GET HIM, MCD!!!

[saintEscaton]

Boylen and Idoka top my list, both with Spurs pedigrees wouldn't mind poaching either

[Saberestar]

Gambo: Jay Wright unlikely candidate to become Suns head coach

"What I’m hearing after making some calls is that Wright is happy at Villanova, and will likely get a nice raise that bumps him into the top-10 of coaching salaries and allows him to stay in college."

http://arizonasports.com/story/623167/jay-wright-unlikely-suns-head-coach/

[bwgood77]

I've already made a thread with polls and who I like, but I think Jay Larranaga would top my list. Lead assistant to Brad Stevens with all sorts of playing and coaching experience. Was considered by Celtics as head coach, but like that he has worked with Stevens for two years, and prior to that worked with Doc Rivers. Not a big Doc Rivers fan, but has seen different approaches. Also has international experience (coached Ireland and now Ukraine) and played all over the place.

Probably can relate to all sorts of players and adapt quickly to new styles. Here is his wiki https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jay_Larranaga

I also searched earlier for who has worked under Carlisle, because I consider him one of the top coaches in the league, perhaps the best, but up there with Pop, Kerr and Stevens.

The guy I came across before in this search was Melvin Hunt. He has worked in the NBA a LONG time for successful teams and coaches....worked as a scout and then assistant in Houston, then a year with the Lakers under Tomjonavich, then with Cleveland as an assistant from 2005-2010 when they were successful (of course LeBron, but good experience nonetheless), then under George Karl in Denver from 2010-2015 and was interim coach for a bit...some fans wanted him... viewtopic.php?f=13&t=1419044

Now works under Carlisle in Dallas.

Here is his wiki... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melvin_Hunt

[TeamTragic]

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/15167037/phoenix-suns-conduct-broad-coaching-search-earl-watson-luke-walton-targets

The Phoenix Suns will conduct a full-scale coaching search at season's end, with interim coach Earl Watson among the candidates who will be considered, according to team sources.

Sources told ESPN.com that the Suns plan to consider multiple candidates, with Watson among them, once they complete a sixth successive non-playoff season that began with postseason aspirations but ultimately cost the popular Jeff Hornacek his job on Feb. 1, after a dreadful 2-19 stretch that included a number of injuries.

NBA coaching sources told ESPN.com that Golden State Warriors assistant coach Luke Walton, former Suns coach Mike D'Antoni (who currently serves as associate head coach of the Philadelphia 76ers) and former Suns star Dan Majerle (head coach at fledgling Division I program Grand Canyon in the Western Athletic Conference) are among the names likely to feature on a broad list of targets.

However, NBA coaching sources say the Suns would be considered an extremely long shot to lure Walton from his post with the Warriors.

The Arizona Republic first reported in Friday's editions that Watson is "very much in the running for the position."

ESPN.com reported in late January that Suns owner Robert Sarver has strong interest in former two-time MVP Steve Nash for the coaching vacancy, but sources continue to say Nash is not interested in going into full-time coaching at this time.

Nash, according to sources, is not presently prepared to entertain the thought of a head-coaching position or even an assistant coach's role at this juncture, preferring to focus on fatherhood (he has three young children), his various off-court interests, the part-time consulting role with the Warriors that he took on at the start of this season and his duties as the general manager of Team Canada.

Sarver recently told The Arizona Republic that general manager Ryan McDonough will "definitely" continue as GM next season, but that hasn't stopped speculation among rival teams that Phoenix might pursue Nash to work in a front-office capacity instead.

Sarver and Nash are ownership partners with a second-division soccer team in Spain -- RCD Mallorca -- that was purchased by a Sarver-led consortium in January. Nash serves as a board member at Mallorca, with input on all soccer decisions.

A tweet from Sirius XM NBA radio host Mitch Lawrence on Thursday identified Villanova coach Jay Wright, fresh off winning the NCAA tournament, as another prime Suns candidate, with the Republic reporting that Wright is a longtime family friend of McDonough's.

On Friday, Wright attempted to downplay any suggestion that he's prepared to jump to the NBA. He told ESPN.com's Dana O'Neil: "I can say right now that, in my mind, I plan to stay at Villanova. But I also don't want to be a liar. I want to stay. I know I want to stay, but I just say I hope I can stay because I've learned from the past how crazy things can be. I hope I can stay at Villanova because this is where I want to be."

Interesting. Watson definitely in the running. Majerle a candidate even after that whole drama and Walton a favorite (as rumored).

Apparently McD is safe though Sarver wants Nash to become GM since he doesn't want to become head coach (unless I read that wrong). I have no doubt that Wright will stay with Villanova. I'm actually surprised about what I just read.

[DRK]

I want Watson to stay. I want some sort of fluidity and a solid foundation to stay. Coaches grow as teams grow, and Watson has done a good job as his first opportunity as head coach.

Cannot judge Watson on the criteria of Wins and Losses, but as by instilling a positive culture within the team- which I believe he has done. He relates well to the players and he is respected by the locker room, and also the league.

Although he might not be the most "elite" candidate for the job, or may not have the most impressive resume, but the last thing this team needs is another unknown from the outside. This team needs consistency, which will not happen if we keep running staff through the organisation like a turnstile.

[rsavaj]

THE RETURN OF COACH PRINGLES: THE PRINGLING

[saintEscaton]

THE RETURN OF COACH PRINGLES: THE PRINGLING

[garrick]

I want to give Ewing a shot.

We aren't realistically winning next season anyway so might as well see if he has any potential as a HC.

[Jdiddy701]

No matter who is hired, Watson better stay with the team.


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[RaisingArizona]

I still think Majerle is getting it. Should have been him last time.

[saintEscaton]

Plz no more fan favorites with local ties. We can do so much better

[Cutter]

No to Majerle as the next HC.

[DirtyDez]

Watson is a player's coach so you know they'll have his back but you can't always give in to the players. I'd prefer an experienced guy who's a proven winner and won't coddle guys. Three head coaches in two years is a bad look but it seems like they're willing to go thru with it.

[bwgood77]

Watson has earned the chance at being the lead assistant if a new guy comes in, and the guy would accept that (which I think would be a good idea for him to ease the transition). I can't see Watson having a huge problem with that given that he was a back row assistant to start the season in his first year as an assistant coach. I don't think he's earned a head coaching spot yet, or just learned enough about coaching. I am not terribly against him as head coach, but I'd definitely look at guys with more coaching experience first, but would love to retain him in some capacity, and lead assistant or at least one assistant would be my preference.

[letsgosuns]

I would take any of those guys that Stein lists over any college coach.

[jcsunsfan]

I think Nash would be a horrible choice. To me, he is more of a GM personality than a coach. I have never considered Majerle a worthy coaching candidate. He always seemed like more of a partier. I have never been particularly impressed with his intelligence. Watson would be fine for now. He seems good with the young players. Wright seems like he would be fine, though I am concered with the jump from college to the pros. And DAntoni, well, the next coach has to be able to develop a talented crop of young players, even at the expense of wins. Since when has DAntoni ever been willing to do that. MDA has been a failure everywhere he has gone except his stint with the Suns. Not interested.

[ATTL]

Bring back frank johnson

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[Jdiddy701]

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[TeamTragic]

Bring back frank johnson

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