Phoenix Suns Head Coach Monty Williams Named Coach Of The Year

PHOENIX, AZ — Phoenix Suns head coach Monty Williams added another accolade to his name on Tuesday.

Williams, who has guided the Suns to the NBA's second-best record in 2021, was named the National Basketball Coaches Association's coach of the year.

The award, which is voted on by fellow NBA coaches, is given out to the best coach in the 30-team league.

“I am overjoyed to receive the Michael H. Goldberg Coach of the Year Award from the National Basketball Coaches Association,” said Williams in a statement. “I hold the utmost respect and admiration for the coaches in this league, so to be recognized by my peers is an incredible honor. Every coach in our league sacrifices a ton to make their teams and organizations better, so this is unbelievably humbling."

Williams led the Suns to a 51-21 record in 2021, helping the franchise reach the NBA postseason for the first time since 2010 in the process.

He was hired by the franchise in 2019, guiding the Suns to an 8-0 record in the NBA's bubble in 2020, before spring-boarding the team to a historic 2021 season.

Williams thanked those that helped him guide the Suns back to prominence, including his players, GM James Jones and team owner, Robert Sarver.

"This award is far bigger than myself and is a result of the work put in everyday by our players, coaching staff, and the entire Suns organization under the leadership of James Jones and Robert Sarver," Williams' statement read. "This has been a unique year in its challenges, and I am grateful for the tremendous spirit with which our players and staff have approached each day to make this a special season – Everything Counts!"

Williams and the Suns will play the winner of the NBA's play-in tournament round, which pits the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors against each other.

Regardless of how the Suns fare in the NBA's postseason, Williams has earned the praise of his fellow coaches.

“Congratulations to Monty Williams on this most deserving recognition,” said Dallas Mavericks Head Coach and NBCA President Rick Carlisle, in a statement. “In just two years, Monty has taken the Suns from a 19-63 team to the second-best record in the NBA this season and the Suns’ first Divisional title since 2007. To win the vote of our peers makes the Michael H. Goldberg NBCA Coach of the Year Award one of the most meaningful in all of pro sports.”