9 reported candidates have advanced to next round of Suns’ coaching search

The Phoenix Suns have narrowed their coaching search down to nine candidates, per multiple reports.

In his latest episode of the Haynes Briefs podcast, NBA insider Chris Haynes reported eight candidates have advanced to the second round of the Suns’ coaching search.

NBA insider Marc Stein put his stamp of approval on Haynes’ reporting. The hire will be the Suns’ third coach in as many years and first to be hired by new general manager Brian Gregory. 

Here are the eight candidates Haynes listed as potential coaching candidates for the Suns:

• Sean Sweeney
• David Fizdale
• James Borrego
• Johnnie Bryant
• Jordan Ott
• Steve Hetzel
• Micah Nori
• Dave Bliss

NBA insider Jake Fischer reported on Sunday that in addition to the eight coaching candidates, Miami Heat assistant Chris Quinn was another candidate that advanced to the second round of the Suns’ coaching search.

Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro backed that report up and added that the Suns are a week away from getting down to 3 finalists for the job.

Quinn played six seasons in the NBA before becoming an assistant coach with the Heat in 2014.

More details about each Suns coaching candidate

Sweeney has been an assistant coach for the Dallas Mavericks since 2021. He previously spent three seasons as an assistant with the Detroit Pistons (2018-21) and four seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks (2015-19).

Fizdale previously coached with Memphis Grizzlies (2016-17) and New York Knicks (2018-19). He has been an assistant with the Suns for the last two seasons, working under Frank Vogel (2023-24) and Mike Budenholzer last season.

Borrego is currently an assistant coach with the New Orleans Pelicans, working under former Suns assistant coach Willie Green since 2023. He previously had head-coaching duties with the New Orleans Pelicans (2018-2022) and with the Orlando Magic as an interim head coach in 2015.

Borrego was also an assistant coach with New Orleans under former Suns head coach Monty Williams (2010-12) and the San Antonio Spurs (2003-10 and 2015-2018) under head coach Gregg Popovich, where he won two championships (2005, 2007).

Bryant is currently an assistant coach with the Cleveland Cavaliers, who just finished his first season with the team. He previously worked as an assistant coach for the New York Knicks (2021-24) and Utah Jazz (2012-2020).

Another first-year assistant with the Cavaliers, Ott previously spent time as coach with the Los Angeles Lakers (2022-24), Brooklyn Nets (2016-22) and Atlanta Hawks (2013-16). He was an alum from Michigan State, the alma mater of Suns owner Mat Ishbia.

A current assistant coach for the Brooklyn Nets, Hetzel has had assistant coaching roles for several NBA teams since 2005 with the Spurs, Cavaliers, Pistons, Charlotte Hornets, Magic and Portland Trail Blazers. He graduated from Michigan State and was a student manager under head coach Tom Izzo, including in Gregory’s last year with the program.

Nori has spent the last four seasons as an assistant coach for the Minnesota Timberwolves. He has previously spent time as an assistant coach for the Toronto Raptors, Sacramento Kings, Denver Nuggets and Pistons.

Bliss has been an assistant coach with the Oklahoma City Thunder since 2019. Bliss was previously an assistant coach with the Knicks for three seasons (2015-18).

What are the Suns looking for in a new head coach?

Haynes reported several details on what the Suns are looking for in their next head coach, including someone with youth, a defensive background and who is aligned with players and front office.

“They want their next coach to build a program from scratch,” Haynes said. “What that consists of is holding guys accountable, implementing a structure and making sure there is discipline within the franchise when it comes to the players and program.”

Haynes added another aspect the Suns are looking for in a coach is someone that connects with the stars of the team.

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