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 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.
Reality of the Suns coaching search, per multiple prominent coaching agents: Phoenix is going to have to come with real money over a 4-5 year deal to get anyone credible interested. Vets, or top assistants.
— Chris Mannix (@ChrisMannixYS) March 23, 2018
Suns would be wise to be willing to put a big deal on the table, too. Perhaps no team in the NBA needs stability in the coaches box more than Phoenix.
— Chris Mannix (@ChrisMannixYS) March 23, 2018
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.
