Phoenix Suns Dismiss Coach Frank Vogel, Mike Budenholzer Rumored Top Target
The Phoenix Suns have dismissed head coach Frank Vogel after just one season. He won 49 games but with the league’s 3rd highest payroll, a roster of stars like Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal, Devin Booker; and getting swept by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the playoffs; the Suns decided to go in another direction.
They will be hiring their 3rd head coach in 3 years. After letting go of Monty Williams last year. And now the latest man on the chopping block, Frank Vogel.
Therefore, who’s next? Who might the Suns have their eye on as their next head coach? Well, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski has a hunch. He reports that Mike Budenholzer is considered to be the Suns top target; and a deal could come together quickly. As he has reportedly been putting together a staff in anticipation of another head coaching job.
It would make sense for Budenholzer and the Suns to come to an arrangement since he’s got championship credibility, having won a championship with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021 and winning NBA Coach of the year twice (2015, 2019). In addition, he was on Gregg Popovich’s staff for 4 of the San Antonio Spurs championships. Budenholzer’s just wins games.
His head coaching record is 484-317, a 65% win percentage in 2 previous stops with franchises (Milwaukee Bucks, Atlanta Hawks) where in recent history it’s been difficult to attract star players to go play. The Suns likely need that type of credibility in order to keep and attract star players to keep the Suns championship window open.
Furthermore, not only would the talent the Suns have be appealing to Budenholzer, but he would also be coaching close to home; as he’s from Arizona. His father, Vince Budenholzer, was a hall of fame high school and college basketball coach for more than 25 years.
Phoenix Suns Dismiss Coach Frank Vogel, Mike Budenholzer Rumored Top Target
Nevertheless, the icing on the cake could be that the Suns were his favorite team growing up. In a piece from 2015 by Paul Caro, Budenholzer said of the Suns:
“I followed the Suns and they were my favorite team… I literally remember going in my backyard and my dad teaching me Paul Westphal moves. Sweet D, Walter Davis. Double-A, Alvan Adams. Listening to Al McCoy on the calls.”
This sure sounds like it could be a win-win situation for both Budenholzer and the Phoenix Suns. For one, “dream” fulfilled. For the order, a head coach with a passion for the franchise and a strong desire to see it succeed.
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