Phoenix Suns Fire Former Jazz Assistant Igor Kokoskov
Apr 23, 2019, 12:27 PM
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, Ariz. – After one season at the helm, first time NBA head coach and former Utah Jazz assistant Igor Kokoskov has been fired as the head coach of the Phoenix Suns.
When he was hired last season, Kokoskov was the first European-born NBA head coach.
James Jones – who recently had the interim general manager title changed to GM determined that it was best to move in a different direction with their head coaching position.
It has been a carousel of coaches going through Phoenix, beginning with the 2015-16 season when they fired former Jazzman Jeff Hornacek during the season and named Earl Watson as the head coach for the rest of that season and the following year. Just three games into the 2017-18 season, Watson was fired and Jay Triano was the interim head coach for the other 79 games.
The Suns finished the season with the worst record in the western conference at 19-63 and started three rookies for 39 games.
It’s a big offseason for the Suns as they will likely receive a top three pick in the upcoming NBA Draft with a top-heavy class coming in that includes Duke star Zion Williamson and Murray State guard Ja Morant.
Kokoskov was an assistant coach with the Utah Jazz under Quin Snyder from 2015-18. He began his coaching career in 1992.
OFFICIAL: Phoenix Suns relieve Igor Kokoškov of head coaching duties.https://t.co/8B4Cy5oVnp
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) April 23, 2019
