Report: Phoenix Suns hire Jazz assistant Jeff Hornacek as head coach
Jazz assistant Jeff Hornacek has agreed to a three-year deal to become the head coach of the Phoenix Suns. (David Sherman/Getty Images)
Jeff Hornacek has agreed to terms on a three-year contract to become the Suns' head coach and will sign the deal by Monday morning, according to azcentral.com's Paul Coro.
The Phoenix Suns have offered Utah Jazz assistant Jeff Hornacek their head coaching job, according to Yahoo! Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski.
The two sides will work this weekend to "finalize contract parameters" and have already begun working to assemble an assistant coaching staff, according to the report.
Hornacek, who spent the first six seasons of his 14-year career in Phoenix, has been an assistant with the Jazz since 2007. He also interviewed for the Bobcats' head-coaching position this week.
The Suns parted ways with head coach Alvin Gentry in January and replaced him with interim coach Lindsay Hunter, who also interviewed for the permanent head-coaching job.
Phoenix fired general manager Lance Blanks after the second-worst season in franchise history, hiring former Celtics assistant GM Ryan McDonough.
From the report:
Hornacek met with new Suns general manager Ryan McDonough, president Lon Babby and owner Robert Sarver the past week in Phoenix. The Suns met with Houston Rockets assistant J.B. Bickerstaff on Friday and have received permission to interview Los Angeles Lakers assistant coach Steve Clifford. Clifford remains a strong candidate for head-coaching openings with the Bucks and Charlotte Bobcats.
Hornacek, 50, played the first six seasons of his 14-year NBA career with the Suns and remains a popular figure in the community. He keeps his offseason home in the Phoenix area.
For the Suns, Hornacek would fit the profile of a coach who could grow with the franchise's plan to rebuild through young players and the draft. Phoenix has six first-round picks available over the next three years, and player development will be a top priority.
