PHOENIX SUNS

Woj: Suns coaching search is underway, will include Triano

Mar 22, 2018, 9:16 PM | Updated: 9:24 pm

Phoenix Suns interim coach Jay Triano shouts to his team in the second half during an NBA basketbal...

Phoenix Suns interim coach Jay Triano shouts to his team in the second half during an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2018, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

(AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

The Phoenix Suns have already started their search for a new head coach, Phoenix Suns general manager Ryan McDonough told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

Per Wojnarowksi’s talk with McDonough, Suns interim head coach Jay Triano will be included in the search and has requested through his agent to have a formal presentation for the job at the end of the season.

McDonough discussed the decision to start the search now.

This is going to be a competitive marketplace. There are three of us (Phoenix, Milwaukee and Memphis) with interim coaches in place, and we want to be able to hit the ground running. We don’t want to have to wait until the end of the regular season for candidates who aren’t with teams now. At the end of the regular season, we’ll be able to talk with coaches on non-playoff teams and we’ll need to work with playoff teams on what their approach will be on contacting (assistant) coaches still in the postseason.

Triano replaced former Suns head coach Earl Watson three games into the season. In Watson’s place, Triano has a record of 19-49.

If the Suns were to hire a name other than Triano, it would be the team’s fourth head coach under McDonough. Jeff Hornacek coached the team from 2013-16 before being replaced by Watson in an interim role and then Watson was hired in a permanent role for the 2016-17 season.

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Phoenix Suns

Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets is guarded by Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns during th...

Kellan Olson

Suns respond to season’s low point with thorough win over Nuggets

The guessing game of which Suns team shows up on which night persists. The best current version did on Wednesday in a win over the Nuggets.

8 hours ago

Bradley Beal #3 of the Phoenix Suns looks on during the second half against the Boston Celtics at T...

David Veenstra

Bradley Beal in, Jusuf Nurkic out for Suns’ matchup with Nuggets

Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal is active for Wednesday's matchup with the Denver Nuggets while center Jusuf Nurkic is out.

12 hours ago

Tyler Kolek, Marquette...

Damon Allred

Here’s who Phoenix Suns fans should watch in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16

The Suns' first round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft sits at No. 19 overall, and they could select a star from the NCAA Tournament.

15 hours ago

Phoenix Suns take on San Antonio Spurs...

Arizona Sports

O’Neale: Phoenix Suns took Spurs ‘too lightly’ in glaring loss

The Phoenix Suns' lack of effort was on display Monday night against the San Antonio Spurs, leading to an honest film session.

1 day ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Royce O’Neale: Suns took Spurs “a little too lightly”

Phoenix Suns forward Royce O'Neale joined Burns & Gambo to talk about the team's disappointing loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night, and to look ahead at the team's remaining schedule, as they continue to make a push toward the NBA playoffs.

1 day ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: How the Suns lost to the Spurs before they stepped on the court

Burns & Gambo react to the Phoenix Suns stunning loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night, and try to figure out why it happened.

2 days ago

Woj: Suns coaching search is underway, will include Triano