Suns Name Watson Interim Coach After Firing Hornacek

By: Kylee Sam
Cronkite News

(Phoenix, AZ) – The Suns named Earl Watson interim head coach Monday afternoon, replacing Jeff Hornacek, who was fired earlier in the day after the team lost its 14th consecutive road game.

Phoenix Suns General Manager Ryan McDonough is expected to provide more details when he meets with the media after Tuesday morning’s shoot around.

Watson and Nate Bjorkgren were promoted to front-row assistants following the Dec. 28 firings of Mike Longabardi and Jerry Sichting.

Watson, 36, was in his first year as a Suns assistant after serving as an assistant coach for the NBA Development League’s Austin Spurs last season. This followed a 13-year NBA career during which he played for Seattle/Oklahoma City, Memphis, Denver, Indiana, Utah and Portland.

Hornacek, who was hired as the Suns 16th head coach in 2013, compiled a 101-112 overall record but was 14-35 this season. They were expected to contend for a playoff spot this season. Hornacek spent his first six professional seasons as a player with the Suns and posted a surprising 48-34 record in his first year as head coach.

The Suns are headed for their sixth straight non-playoff season, their longest drought in franchise history.