The Phoenix Suns’ head coach search continues into the second round. One candidate who has moved into that second phase is Erik Spoelstra’s long-time Miami Heat assistant coach. According to NBA insider Jake Fischer of The Stein Line, the Suns HC job could fall to Chris Quinn, among other candidates. Phoenix is hunting for their next head coach following Mike Budenholzer’s dismissal just days after the season ended. Despite his championship status as a bench boss, Budenholzer wasn’t able to get the most out of a Kevin Durant–Devin Booker-led team. The season was more disappointing than the previous one, where Phoenix at least made the postseason under Frank Vogel. The next head coach would be the Suns’ third in three years. Quinn could end up the last man standing.
Heat Lead Assistant Chris Quinn in Line for Suns HC Job
Phoenix Suns award sought-after Miami Heat assistant coach Chris Quinn second interview for head coach job
It has become evident that more NBA teams are moving toward younger coaching candidates to take over franchises as head coaches. More young candidates have been hired in recent years than ever. Jordi Fernandez (42) will enter his second full year with the Brooklyn Nets next season. Joe Mazzulla (36) led the Boston Celtics to a title in 2024. Will Hardy (37) recently earned a six-year extension with the Utah Jazz. JJ Redick (40) was given his first-ever coaching job in the league with the Los Angeles Lakers last year.
It appears to be a running theme in hiring less experienced candidates over long-time, tenured, seasoned head coaches in their later years. The gamble is working, though. Most of the younger head coaches hired in the last 2-3 years appear to be the right people for the job. It’s why Phoenix might be following suit in hiring a younger coach. Several of the candidates for the Suns job include potential first-time head coaches. The list with Quinn includes: Dave Bliss (OKC), Johnnie Bryant (Cleveland), Jordan Ott (Cleveland), Micah Nori (Minnesota), Sean Sweeney (Dallas), and Steve Hetzel (Brooklyn).
Quinn’s apprenticeship under Spoelstra significantly benefits him
It certainly doesn’t hurt Quinn’s candidacy that he’s spent the past decade under Spoelstra. The last several years, he has served as the lead assistant. Given the structure and culture the Heat insist on cultivating, few NBA organizations are better suited to raise up class-personified coaches. Quinn has been privy to that system for some time.
Quinn’s candidacy in Phoenix isn’t his first crack at landing a head coaching gig. Last summer, he had interest from the Lakers and Cavaliers before each eventually went in different directions. Quinn has interviewed with Milwaukee, Utah, Charlotte, Detroit, and Indiana in the past. Now, Phoenix joins the list.
Coach Spo is regarded as the NBA’s best head coach, if not in the top three. Being under Spoelstra for as long as he has, Quinn’s in the perfect position to be considered for a lead job somewhere. You would have to imagine everything he knows he learned from Spoelstra. What better coach to learn from than the one who is the most respected head coach in the league? If Quinn comes out as the last man standing in Phoenix, he’ll continue a trend of hiring young, first-time coaches, but it will be more than earned and deserved.
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