Bret Burchard named next head coach of Northern Arizona Suns

The Northern Arizona Suns have found their next head coach.

Associate head coach Bret Burchard was promoted to head coach of the Suns’ G League affiliate on Wednesday. Burchard has been involved with the Suns and Mercury organizations since 2010, serving a multitude of roles.

“We are thrilled to welcome Bret back to the Northern Arizona Suns family as our next head coach,” NAZ Suns general manager Louis Lehman said in a statement. “Bret has been with the Suns organization since before I began over six years ago and we’ve been able to build a great relationship with each other throughout the years.”

The 31-year-old new head coach takes over for Cody Toppert, who was promoted to Suns head coach Igor Koskoskov’s staff to serve as director of player development.

“I am very excited to return to the Northern Arizona community and build upon the young tradition of our G League program,” Burchard said in a statement. “I’m looking forward to doing my part in Prescott Valley to continue the NAZ Suns’ brand of elite-level basketball the community can be proud of, while also helping the rise of the Phoenix Suns.”

Burchard previously worked as a member of the Suns’ and Mercury’s basketball communications department (2010-13), as the Suns’ video coordinator (2013-16) and as NAZ Suns assistant coach (2016) and associate head coach (2017).

Burchard will be the third coach in NAZ Suns history, preceded by Tyrone Ellis and Toppert.