The Phoenix Suns are the lone NBA team without a head coach after they fired Mike Budenholzer at the end of the regular season. The team's first order of business was hiring a new general manager, who turned out to be one with whom Mat Ishbia shared a connection to Michigan State. As NBA insider Marc Stein noted, that trend could continue with the next head coach (subscription required).
Stein reported that the Suns are "expected" to narrow their candidate list to "three or so finalists" this week. He listed several candidates that moved on to the second round, including two former Spartans: Cleveland's Jordan Ott and Brooklyn's Steve Hetzel.
Phoenix surprised everyone by promoting Brian Gregory to be its next GM. He officially joined the Suns' front office as the vice president of player programming after serving as a consultant the previous year. The 58-year-old built his reputation off coaching in college, not working in an NBA front office. Why would the Suns hire someone with little experience who will reshape the culture and roster? You can say that Ishbia knowing Gregory since his Michigan State days had something to do with it.
Gregory was on Tom Izzo's staff when Ishbia was a walk-on, so the two were part of the 1999 championship team. That East Lansing connection led Gregory to Phoenix, which, in turn, led him to lead the front office. It's not Ishbia's first risky decision (and it won't be his last), but it could be what causes the Suns to plunge further into irrelevance.
Two Michigan State alumni advance to second round of Suns' head coach search
After firing Budenholzer, Ishbia said the organization was in no rush to hire a new head coach. He emphasized the importance of finding the right fit. Ishbia would walk back everything he said if he hires the next head coach based on their Michigan State background.
Ott spent five years at Michigan State as a video coordinator, joining the NBA in 2013 under that role with the Hawks. He's currently an assistant on Kenny Atkinson's staff in Cleveland. Ott previously spent time as an assistant with the Nets and Lakers.
Hetzel was a student manager during his time at Michigan State. His start in the NBA also came as a video coordinator, but with the Spurs. He's an assistant with the Nets, having previously worked with the Pistons, Hornets, Magic, and Trail Blazers. He also spent a season coaching the Cavaliers' G League Team.
Stein noted that Miami's Chris Quinn, Dallas' Sean Sweeney, Minnesota's Micah Nori, Oklahoma City's Dave Bliss, Cleveland's Johnnie Bryant, New Orleans' James Borrego, and David Fizdale are among the other candidates who advanced to the second round.
Hopefully, Ishbia's MSU colored glasses don't get in the way of the Suns hiring the best person for the job.