Suns name Jordan Ott head coach

The Phoenix Suns have named Jordan Ott of McConnellsburg, Pennsylvania as their new head coach according to Jamyn Wimbish of CBS Sports on Friday. Ott takes over from Mike Budenholzer of Holbrook, Arizona, who was fired on April 14.

This is Ott’s first head coaching job in the National Basketball Association. His first NBA job was the video coordinator for the Atlanta Hawks from 2013 to 2016. Ironically, the Hawks head coach at the time was Budenholzer. Ott has been an assistant coach for the last decade. He was with the Brooklyn Nets from 2016 to 2022, the Los Angeles Lakers the last two seasons from 2022 to 2024, and this past season with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

In 2024-25, the Cavaliers had the second best regular season record in the NBA at 64 wins and 18 losses. The only team better were the Oklahoma City Thunder at 68 wins and 14 losses.

Prior to working in the NBA, Ott earned a Bachelor Degree in sports management from Penn State University and a Masters Degree in Athletic Administration from Michigan State University. He then spent five seasons as a video coordinator for the Spartans from 2008 to 2013. While at Michigan State, he learned from one of the finest college basketball coaches of all-time in Tom Izzo of Iron Mountain, Michigan.

The Suns biggest problem at this time is trying to figure out their identity. Are they going to make an effort to win now, or are they in for a rebuild. What do they plan on doing with Kevin Durant, who is set to earn $54.7 million in the final year of his contract.

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