Philadelphia 76ers head coach Brett Brown praised his trusty assistant Monty Williams after the Phoenix Suns announced his agreement to become their next head coach, signing him to a five-year deal.
This is Brown's first year with Williams as his assistant, but the Aussie-born coach spoke very highly of his character and work ethic.
“I've known him for 15, 16 years,” said Brown, according to Brian Seltzer of Sixers.com. “Anyone who pays attention understands that he's ‘elite people.' He's incredibly relational, prideful in studying how to be a coach. I hope he's taking something from our program.”
Williams was interviewed by the Los Angeles Lakers and soon after, the Suns, as the latter made stronger efforts to recruit him, even having owner Robert Sarver take part in the second meeting.
The Suns have dismissed four head coaches in the last four seasons and have shown no glimpses of organizational stability over the past decade, though general manager James Jones and his team are attempting to change that.
The 47-year-old coach has five years of experience as head coach of the New Orleans Hornets/Pelicans, and seven years as an assistant between the Portland Trail Blazers, Oklahoma City Thunder, and of course, the Sixers.
Williams has proven to have a strong rapport with players as well as the respect of his colleagues in the coaching profession.
A former player in his own right, Williams amassed a 173-221 coaching record in his five years in The Big Easy, though he only mustered two playoff wins, both coming in the first round of the playoffs as a rookie coach.
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