Suns announce coaching staff under Jordan Ott, including former big man Mike Muscala
The Phoenix Suns announced that their full coaching staff under Jordan Ott will include former NBA players DeMarre Carroll and Mike Muscala.
Mike Muscala #35 of the Washington Wizards celebrates his three point shot in the first half against the New York Knicks during a preseason game at Madison Square Garden on October 18, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
The Phoenix Suns announced that their full coaching staff under first-year head coach Jordan Ott will include Arizona native Jesse Mermuys, plus former NBA players DeMarre Carroll and Mike Muscala.
Brian Randle, Chaisson Allen, John Little and Sean Dwyer are also assistant coaches, while Mateen Cleaves will join as a player development coach and leadership assistant.
Mermuys, whose hiring was reported in July by ESPN’s Shams Charania, is a Tucson native and Salpointe Catholic High School graduate who was previously with the Orlando Magic under head coach Jamahl Mosley.
Mermuys attended and later coached at Salpointe Catholic High School, as well as Pima Community College as an assistant. He became director of basketball operations for the Arizona Wildcats from 2006-08, which bridged the end of Lute Olson’s tenure and included work under interim coach Kevin O’Neill.
DeMarre Carroll, Mike Muscala bring NBA experience to the bench
Carroll, who was head coach of the Suns’ Summer League team in Las Vegas, is one of two former NBA players on the staff and made his decade-long career as a gritty wing defender. He’s joined by a first-time assistant in Muscala, whose playing career ended in 2024.
Muscala played for the Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Lakers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Boston Celtics, Washington Wizards and Detroit Pistons over 11 seasons after becoming the 44th overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft. He and Carroll were both players for Atlanta on Budenholzer’s team when Ott was entering his career as a video coordinator with the Hawks.
Muscala, an undersized center, took more than half of his 2,538 career shots from beyond the 3-point line (37% career 3-point shooter) and brings that unique perspective to a roster tasked with developing young big men Mark Williams, Khaman Maluach and Oso Ighodaro.
New and old faces fill out Jordan Ott’s first Suns coaching staff
The Suns bring back Allen, who worked for Phoenix under Budenholzer last year and previously worked with the Milwaukee Bucks’ organization and its G League team, the Wisconsin Herd. John Little will join the NBA team’s staff after working as head coach of the G League’s Valley Suns last year.
Phoenix also returns Brian Randle, who had been with the Suns under former head coach Monty Williams from 2020-23.
Dwyer has been an assistant coach at Loyola University in Chicago for the past four years. He crossed over at Michigan State as a student manager for part of the time when Ott was a graduate assistant and video coordinator for the Spartans under head coach Tom Izzo.
Cleaves is a former Michigan State star point guard who will work as a development staffer. His addition was reported in July by Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro.
The 2000 Final Four Most Outstanding player was teammates with Suns owner Mat Ishbia on the Spartans during their title run and has been employed as a leadership development coach for Ishbia’s mortgage loan company, United Wholesale Mortgage.
Cleaves was the 14th pick in the 2000 draft and played for Detroit (2000-01), Sacramento (2001-03), Cleveland (2004) and the Seattle Supersonics (2004-06).
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Comments
6 Comments
Hahahahahaha
That was funny
I did a small write up on em.. The good news is when players jump this quick into coaching, it’s usually cause they’ve shown a natural passion for coaching and motivating while playing..
Okay good stuff..
I like that both Carroll and Muscala are recent players.. Both carved out careers of over 10 years, with some good playoff experience.. Mike has 6 postseason seasons, Carroll has 7..
And definitely like Carroll’s game and mental approach..Was a very late 1st rd pick, that played PF/C at just 6’6.... High energy, tough and determined! And really made a name for himself on D!
We definitely need this underdog mentality to rub off! Dude went to ECFs, and had it tied 2-2 vs Lebron and Cavs.. That starting lineup was Lowry, Derozan, Bizmack, Carroll and Scola..
Muscala also saw some success, not like Carroll, though still decent.. 2nd round pick and was a spot starter with 35 of em..Though he embraced becoming a stretch 5, and it worked..This occurred under Mike B in 2014/15.. And what I like, is he plays his role.. He hustles and does “his” job!! And was a good locker room guy, who was that Chemistry type!
Good luck Demare and Mike, this team needs what your bringing!
If we are to have any chance at success, Book, Green, Dunn, Brooks, and Williams must be as tight as it gets, and have that “backs against the wall” mentality!
Wow, those names just jump off the page don’t they? I’m just brewing with confidence. I’ve never said “who“ so many times in a row