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5 College coaching candidates for the Phoenix Suns

By Khaleel Abdullah

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 08: Head coach Tony Bennett of the Virginia Cavaliers celebrates with his team after the 85-77 win over the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the 2019 NCAA men's Final Four National Championship game at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 08, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 08: Head coach Tony Bennett of the Virginia Cavaliers celebrates with his team after the 85-77 win over the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the 2019 NCAA men's Final Four National Championship game at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 08, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 30: Head coach Mark Few of the Gonzaga Bulldogs looks on during the first half of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament West Regional game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Honda Center on March 30, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 30: Head coach Mark Few of the Gonzaga Bulldogs looks on during the first half of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament West Regional game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Honda Center on March 30, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

#2 – Mark Few of Gonzaga

Mark Few is one of the best coaches in college basketball but for whatever reason his name isn’t mentioned with the rest.

He’s done a lot for Gonzaga as it’s head coach for the last 20 years, since 1999. He has been a member of Gonzaga’s coaching staff for the last 30 years, since 1989. The man is a constant on the sidelines and what the school has gone through with him on the sidelines is nothing short of brilliant.

With him on board, the Bulldogs have risen from mid-major obscurity to regular participants in the NCAA Tournament. He has led the Bulldogs to the tourney in every single season as head coach. Despite playing in a mid-major conference, the Bulldogs are known as a major basketball power.

Few has 568 wins under his belt, averaging about 28 wins per season with a .823 winning percentage. That’s simply impressive. Add in 9 Sweet Sixteen appearances and 3 Elite Eight appearances.

He holds the NCAA record for most consecutive tournament appearances since starting as head coach. Only Brad Stevens, current head coach of the Boston Celtics, had more wins in his first 3 seasons as head coach. Only John Calipari (38) has led a team to more wins in a season than he has (37).

Why would he come to the Phoenix Suns?

At some point, change is needed. Maybe he feels completely fine as a college coach and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. However, Booker and Ayton would arguably be the best duo he has ever coached and with all he’s done he deserves a shot as an NBA head coach.

The Suns would be wise to pick up the phone and call him. Whether he chooses to answer the call is a decision that only he can make. But, the Phoenix front office needs to keep something in mind. You miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take.

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