Phoenix Suns Are Replacing Monty Williams With A Polar Opposite As Head Coach

Frank Vogel

Getty Image / Jamie Schwaberow


Coming into the 2022-2023 season, nobody thought that Monty Williams would get fired from his job as head coach of the Phoenix Suns. But, that’s exactly what happened after they lost in the playoffs to the Denver Nuggets in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

Monty Williams turned the Phoenix Suns around. Prior to his first season in 2019-2020, they had not made the playoffs since 2009-2010. But, Williams took them to the bubble his first year, and the NBA Finals the next year, winning NBA Coach of the Year. The Suns couldn’t get over the hump, hence the two sides parting ways, but he left big shoes to fill with a very talented roster for whomever was going to replace him.

And, the Suns have made their choice, as they will bring in NBA Champion coach Frank Vogel to try to get the Phoenix Suns their first title in history.

Vogel is one of the most accomplished coaches in the league. He’s been in charge of the Pacers, Magic and Lakers. And while he’s most remembered for helping LeBron James win a title in Los Angeles, his scrappy Pacers teams gave the Miami Heat all they could handle through the LeBron James-Heat years.

But, it’s a huge change culturally, as Monty Williams was an offense-first coach with the Suns, while Vogel is known for playing a grit-and-grind style and looks to wear people down. Will that work in Phoenix with their core of Chris Paul, Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and DeAndre Ayton? Who knows. But, we are going to find out.