Former NBA head coach David Fizdale joins new Phoenix Suns head coach Frank Vogel's staff
The Phoenix Suns have added former NBA head coach David Fizdale to new head coach Frank Vogel's coaching staff, sources informed The Republic on Monday.
The Suns and Vogel agreed to a five-year, $31-million deal last week. The addition of Fizdale, who will be paid more than a million a year, according to sources, gives Phoenix another former NBA head coach on the staff.
Fizdale, 48, was a head coach for two seasons in Memphis (50-51) and two seasons in New York (21-83) after a lengthy run as an assistant with Miami.
He was an assistant under Vogel in 2021-22 when the Lakers went 33-49 and fired Vogel after that season.
Fizdale was working in the front office for the Utah Jazz.
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski first tweeted the news.
Fizdale was an assistant in Miami when Suns general manager and president of basketball operations, James Jones, played for the Heat.
Miami reached the NBA Finals four straight years, winning it back-to-back in 2012 and 2013 with Fizdale as an assistant and Jones as a player under Erik Spoelstra.
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The Phoenix Suns are hiring Jazz associate GM David Fizdale as an assistant coach, sources tell ESPN. Suns made a significant financial play for Fizdale and drew upon his history with new coach Frank Vogel and GM James Jones. Fizdale is a former HC with Knicks and Grizzlies.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 5, 2023
The Suns are also retaining associate head coach Kevin Young on their coaching staff as he will receive $2-million plus a year to make him the highest-paid assistant coach in the NBA, sources told The Republic last week.
Wojnarowski also tweeted that former Rockets head coach Stephen Silas is joining new Pistons head coach Monty Williams on his staff.
The Suns fired Williams after losing Game 6 of the West semifinals to No. 1-seeded Denver.
Detroit signed Williams to a six-year, $78.5-million deal last week, making him the highest-paid coach in NBA history.
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Former Houston Rockets coach Stephen Silas has agreed to join the Detroit Pistons and new coach Monty Williams as the top assistant coach, sources tell ESPN. Silas had previously been a top assistant with the Mavericks, Hornets and Warriors.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 5, 2023
Have opinion about current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-787-1240. Follow him on Twitter at @DuaneRankin.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: David Fizdale to join new Phoenix Suns head coach Frank Vogel's staff
