WATCH: Phoenix Suns introduce Mike Budenholzer as next head coach.
The Phoenix Suns introduced their new head coach to the community Friday afternoon.
Mike Budenholzer, a native of Arizona and former coach of the Milwaukee Bucks, was appointed the Suns’ new coach last weekend.
After three seasons, Budenholzer will take over as head coach of the Suns.
Following coach Frank Vogel’s dismissal by the Suns following his rookie campaign, the decision was made. Despite struggling with prolonged injuries to numerous important players, the Suns had a good regular season record (49–33). However, the Minnesota Timberwolves swept them in the first round of the NBA playoffs.
Monty Williams, who guided the Suns to the NBA Finals in 2021 and had a 194-115 record with the franchise, was replaced by Vogel.
In 1996, Budenholzer began serving as an assistant coach for San Antonio and went on to lead three NBA teams. Then, starting in 2013, he served as the Atlanta Hawks’ coach until relocating to Milwaukee in 2018. In 2021, he and the Bucks defeated the Suns in the NBA Finals.
The Suns have only lost in the first round of the playoffs this season and have lost twice in the Western Conference semifinals since reaching the championships in 2021.
