Alvin Gentry finalizing coaching staff
Jul 23, 2012, 9:18 PM | Updated: 10:29 pm
July 23, 2012: Turner interviews with Portland, rest of staff to return
While the roster has undergone a significant remodeling, the coaching staff is staying largely intact.
With the exception of Bill Cartwright, the Suns next season will welcome back assistants Dan Majerle, Igor Kokoskov and Noel Gillespie.
Cartwright did not have his contract renewed and head coach Alvin Gentry is not planning on filling his spot on the bench.
Lead assistant Elston Turner was already under contract for next season after he signed a two year deal when he was hired last July.
Turner though is one of several candidates being considered for the head coaching job in Portland. He interviewed with the Blazers last week in Las Vegas and is now waiting to hear if he’ll be among those asked for a second interview.
Gentry will also be helped by a player development staff that recently added former player Lindsey Hunter after he spent last season scouting for the Suns. Hunter is one of three reported head coaching candidates in Orlando.
Ira Newble, former player and NBA D-League assistant, may also be added after he assisted the Suns summer league team in Las Vegas. Mark West and Corey Gaines will continue in their player development roles as well.
Now, while Majerle and Gillespie coached the Suns summer league team, Kokoskov was heading back to Europe and his job as the head coach of Georgia’s national team, which next month will be one of 31 teams that will attempt to qualify for EuroBasket 2013. Kokoskov has been the Georgia National Team head coach since 2008.
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