The third winningest coach in Suns franchise history is coaching once again.
It appears that it’s the season of talking about former Phoenix Suns players, and now we can add coaches to the list. We noted yesterday that both Nassir Little and Landry Shamet were waived from their respective teams. Frank Kaminsky was cut as well.
Now it’s Landry’s coach while in Phoenix that is making news.
Monty Williams marked a turning point for the Suns’ coaching position, bringing stability after years of constant change. Since Alvin Gentry’s departure in 2013, the franchise saw a revolving door of head coaches. Lindsay Hunter for 41 games, Jeff Hornacek for a couple of seasons, followed by Earl Watson, Jay Triano, and Igor Kokoskov. But when Williams arrived in 2019, he brought the steady leadership the team had been missing.
With two seasons, the Suns were in the NBA Finals.
Williams was known as a stellar motivator and a true players’ coach. However, over time, his struggles with making in-game adjustments and his inability to get the most out of Deandre Ayton ultimately led to his dismissal from Phoenix in the summer of 2023.
Although Monty Williams initially didn’t want to coach, hoping to take time off to care for his wife, who had been diagnosed with cancer, and to watch his son play high school basketball, the Detroit Pistons made him an offer he couldn’t refuse. Other coaches were glad he didn’t, as his deal reset the market for coaching compensation: six years, $78.5 million.
Monty took the deal and coached in Motown last year, but the results were less than stellar. The team finished with a dismal 14-68 record, including a 28-game losing streak. Despite still being owed $65 million, Monty was let go at the end of the season.
So what is Monty doing now? He’s coaching again, but now it’s at the high school level.
Sources: Former Pelicans, Suns, Pistons coach Monty Williams has accepted the head coaching job at TMI Episcopal prep school in San Antonio where he will coach his son Elijah. pic.twitter.com/ckYIW85kX9
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) October 20, 2024
Williams’ son Elijah, a 6’6” forward, is projected to be a first-round pick in the 2027 NBA Draft. Set to graduate in 2026, Elijah has already received offers from the University of Arizona, Cal, Missouri, and Notre Dame, where Monty played his college ball. Ranked 18th nationally by 24/7 Sports, he’s the 7th-ranked small forward in the 2026 class and the top player in Texas.
Monty now plans to dedicate his time to coaching his son, helping prepare him for his NBA journey. And with the Pistons still paying him, Monty might just be the highest-paid high school basketball coach in history.