Lindsey Hunter had the title of Phoenix Suns’ interim coach for three months in 2013 but the actual job was done more often than not by assistant coach Igor Kokoskov. “Lindsey wasn’t ready for that role,” said Phoenix forward Jared Dudley, who was in his fourth season with the Suns in 2013. “During timeouts Igor was the one drawing up plays.”
Phoenix Suns Rumors
Scott Bordow: Everyone going nuts about my Jason Kidd, Vinny Del Negro news: Chill. McDonough told me in March he would talk to a lot of people in initial round of interviews. Then will whittle list down. Doesn’t hurt to get a lot of input, opinions, about your team and organization.
Sean Deveney: Another guy to keep in mind for the @Phoenix Suns coaching job: longtime assistant coach Rex Kalamian, currently with the Raptors. He has good credentials with many execs, and sources tell SN if the Suns can wait until TOR has a break to interview him, he’ll be a candidate.
Add two more names to the Suns’ coaching search. A league source said the Suns have spoken to former Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks head coach Jason Kidd as well as former Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro.
Kidd, who has openly campaigned for the job, was fired as Bucks coach after 45 games this season. He has a 183-190 career coaching record but his tenures in Brooklyn and Milwaukee reportedly ended after conflicts with management. Del Negro played for the Suns in 2000-01 and for two games in 2001-02. He was named Phoenix’s director of player personnel in 2006 and one year later was promoted to assistant general manager. Del Negro has a 210-184 record in five seasons as a head coach.
The Suns reportedly have conducted or will conduct interviews with several other candidates, including interim coach Jay Triano, former Memphis coach David Fizdale, Utah assistant Igor Koskoskov, former Charlotte coach Steve Clifford, former Orlando and Indiana coach Frank Vogel, former Houston coach Kevin McHale, former Cleveland coach David Blatt and San Antonio assistant James Borrego.
