Gambo says not to expect a new Suns coach this week as search continues.
The Phoenix Suns are preparing to welcome their fourth head coach in as many seasons. It will be the first coaching decision made under new general manager Brian Gregory, and the approach reflects that shift in philosophy.
Gone is the urgency to grab the biggest name or the most decorated résumé. Instead, the Suns are moving deliberately, taking their time to identify a leader who aligns with the identity they’re trying to cultivate. They seek a coach who fits the vision, not just the headline.
So when will the next head coach be named? Don’t hold your breath for news today. According to Arizona Sports Suns’ insider John Gambadoro, the timeline is stretching into late May, and possibly even June. Because this time, Phoenix isn’t rushing. They’re searching for the right fit, not the fastest fix.
The Phoenix Suns have cast a wide net in their search for the next head coach reaching out to and interviewing 15-20 candidates. The 2nd-round should begin soon but I would not expect a final decision this week or next. Most likely closer to the end of the month or early June.
— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) May 13, 2025
Part of you wants to applaud the Suns for taking this search seriously. For not rushing into another impulsive hire, but instead vetting up to 20 candidates, leaving no stone unturned. It signals an intention to build something lasting. To find a head coach who isn’t just a one-season placeholder, but someone who can anchor the franchise for the long haul.
But that same deliberate process carries its own weight.
Imagine being one of those candidates. You know the culture in Phoenix. You’ve seen the revolving door on the sidelines. You’re aware that ownership is laser-focused on winning, and winning now. And when the word “accountability” gets thrown around, it’s rarely applied to players. It falls squarely, and sometimes unfairly, on the head coach.
The challenge with waiting, of course, is that the NBA calendar doesn’t pause for reflection.
The draft is approaching. Free agency looms. Trades are being discussed. And while roster decisions fall largely under the jurisdiction of general manager Brian Gregory, any attempt to build a cohesive identity requires input from the person tasked with leading that roster, night after night, practice after practice.
That’s likely why this coaching search is stretching into late May, maybe even June. Because it’s not just about hiring a tactician. It’s about finding someone who sees the game the way Brian Gregory..er..Mat Ishbia does.
Until then, the process continues. Deliberate, patient, and measured. And once the hire is finally made? The whirlwind begins. Press conferences. Player introductions. Draft boards. Free agent meetings. A crash course in a roster that’s already been built, and one that may not leave much room for your fingerprints.
Or maybe that’s the point. Maybe the role is already defined, the decisions already charted. Maybe the vision belongs to the top, and the coach’s job is simply to carry it out.
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