PHOENIX SUNS

Suns interview former Knicks coach Mike Woodson for Kokoskov’s staff

May 22, 2018, 2:53 PM | Updated: 8:11 pm

Los Angeles Clippers assistant coach Mike Woodson in the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesd...

Los Angeles Clippers assistant coach Mike Woodson in the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

The Phoenix Suns interviewed former Clippers assistant and Knicks head coach Mike Woodson on Tuesday, according to 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station’s John Gambadoro.

Woodson spent time with new Suns head coach Igor Kokoskov on the coaching staff of the Detroit Pistons in the 2003-04 season, where they won an NBA Championship. Woodson was taken on a tour of the facilities in Phoenix and met with players.

Woodson was the head coach of the Atlanta Hawks from 2004-10 and the New York Knicks from 2012-14. His total NBA head coaching record is 315-365.

In three different seasons, Woodson has coached a team to at least 47 wins. From 2009-2010, Woodson won 100 games over two seasons with Atlanta, a team led by former Suns swingman Joe Johnson, Josh Smith and Al Horford.

Despite regular season success over two straight years, the Hawks won only one playoff series each year and did not make the Eastern Conference Finals. In 2010, they were swept by the Orlando Magic. Woodson’s contract was set to expire and the Hawks elected not to re-sign him, hiring Larry Drew.

Woodson was an assistant under former Suns head coach Mike D’Antoni in New York, and in mid-March of 2012, he was announced as the interim coach after D’Antoni resigned.

Following a record of 18-6 under Woodson, the Knicks named Woodson the team’s full-time head coach. In that first season, the Knicks won 54 games, the most New York had won since 1995. Still, though, Woodson could not get to the Eastern Conference Finals, losing in the semifinals to the Indiana Pacers in six games.

After a disappointing 37-win season the next year, Woodson was fired and joined the Clippers under Doc Rivers in September of 2014. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Woodson was leaving the Clippers on May 15.

In New York, Woodson coached current Suns center Tyson Chandler.

Woodson has been a coach in the NBA since 1996. He played in the league from 1980-91.

The Suns’ head coaching job is the first for the 46-year-old Kokoskov, who had been an NBA assistant coach since 2000.

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

Suns interview former Knicks coach Mike Woodson for Kokoskov’s staff