Phoenix Suns Announce Staffing Changes
Yesterday, the Phoenix Suns announced a number of staffing changes heading into the 2015-16 season, including new positions for Nate Bjorkgren, Earl Watson, Jason Fraser, Corey Gaines and Mark West.
"“We’re excited to add Nate, Earl and Jason to our staff; they each fit our culture and bring unique experience that will help our players and our team improve every day,” said head coach Jeff Hornacek in a statement. “It will also benefit us to have Corey and Mark continue to provide their insights and expertise in their new positions.”"
With vice president of basketball operations Lon Babby stepping into a lesser role, both he and general manager Ryan McDonough had previously alluded to a collective effort from the front office to fill some of his responsibilities.
The majority of those responsibilities will likely fall to McDonough and assistant GMs Pat Connelly and Trevor Bukstein, but here’s a look at the staffing changes and where the promoted assistants and executives come from.
Nate Bjorkgren — Bjorkgren, a man who has become a recognizable coaching fixture within the Suns organization, has been promoted to assistant coach and player development coordinator.
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As the head coach of the Suns’ D-League affiliate last season, Bjorkgren led the Bakersfield Jam to a 34-16 record and the Western Conference semifinals. Bjorkgren has been a consistent presence for the Suns over the last year or so, coaching Archie Goodwin, T.J. Warren and other Suns players during their time with the Jam. He has a winning percentage of .630 as a D-League coach.
Bjorkgren recently served as the head coach of the Phoenix’s Summer League team, leading the Summer Suns to a 5-2 record and the championship game before being bested by Becky Hammon and the San Antonio Spurs. He was also on Phoenix’s coaching staff for Summer League in 2014 and training camp before the 2014-15 season.
Earl Watson — A 13-year pro, Watson has been promoted to the position of assistant coach for the Suns.
Last season, Watson was an assistant coach for the NBA Development League’s Austin Spurs. He last played for the Portland Trail Blazers in 2013-14, and was hired on by the Suns as a potential lure for free agent LaMarcus Aldridge, who played with Watson in Rip City.
Watson also played for the Seattle SuperSonics/Oklahoma City Thunder, Memphis Grizzlies, Denver Nuggets, Indiana Pacers and Utah Jazz during his NBA career.
Jason Fraser — A fellow assistant coach for the Austin Spurs alongside Earl Watson, Fraser joins the Suns as a player development assistant. In 2014-15, he helped lead the Spurs to a Southwest Division title and the year before that, he was the director of student-athlete development for his alma mater, Villanova.
Fraser was a stud center for the Wildcats from 2002-06, and ranks fifth on the school’s all-time blocks list. He played professionally overseas and was a member of the Harlem Globetrotters before returning to Villanova.
Corey Gaines — Gaines has been promoted to assistant coach after five years of service as a Suns player development coach. Gaines coached the Phoenix Mercury from 2006-13, leading the franchise to its first two titles in 2007 and 2009.
Gaines played for Paul Westphal from 1986-88 at Loyola Marymount, making him a seasoned veteran when it comes to up-tempo playing styles. He played for four different teams over his five-year NBA career and was a member of the 1994-95 New York Knicks team that went to the NBA Finals.
Mark West — West, a member of the Suns in some capacity for 22 years, will return to the front office as vice president of player relations, a new position that will make him responsible for life skills development in addition to whatever Hornacek needs from him in terms of basketball skills development.
West played eight seasons with the Suns and became the franchise’s all-time leader in field goal percentage (.613). He also spent 12 years in the front office, served as an assistant coach for the last two years before returning to the front office now.
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Bubba Burrage — Burrage will be promoted to director of player personnel after serving as the Suns’ head pro personnel scout for the last four seasons. He was also the general manager of the Bakersfield Jam last season, with the team posting a 34-16 record and reaching the Western Conference semifinals under his watch.
Burrage will continue to serve in that role in addition to his new promotion. He has 22 years of NBA experience between scouting, coaching, video and front office positions, spending 15 years with the Sacramento Kings before joining the Suns.
Courney Witte — As the new director of scouting, Witte joins the Suns after serving one season as the Los Angeles Clippers’ pro personnel scout. Before that, Witte spent 14 seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers and served as their director of player personnel for his last 11 years there.
Witte has 26 years of NBA experience, including 11 with the Indiana Pacers. He also played for legendary coach Bob Knight at Indiana from 1983-86.
Antonio Williams — Williams has been hired as a scout after working in sports business development at Personal Management Consultants in California. He brings experience as a college basketball field representative at Nike and a basketball recruiting analyst for ESPN.com.
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