PHOENIX – ESPN’s NBA Insider Shams Charania reported on Thursday that the Phoenix Suns will be promoting vice president Brian Gregory to head of basketball of operations, taking the role from general manager James Jones. Charania continued that Jones will transition to a senior advisor role for the franchise, as Gregory will assume control of Jones responsibleness.
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Jan 18, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; South Florida Bulls head coach Brian Gregory reacts during the second half against the Houston Cougars at Fertitta Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Charania on Suns promoting Gregory:
Gregory joined the Suns last offseason, after a nearly 20 year coaching career in college. The 58-year-old coached at Dayton, Georgia Tech, and South Florida finishing with a 327-287 career record. Before being a head coach he was an assistant at Michigan State, where he coached current Suns owner Mat Ishbia from 1999-2003.
Feb 8, 2023; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia speaks to the media at an introductory press conference at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Ishbia claimed changes were coming this offseason, and this is the first major shift in the franchise with a new head of basketball operations. The promotion was expected to happen soon, as the urgency of Phoenix’s head coaching search is imperative. The franchise wanted to promote Gregory into the position before interview potential candidates for the head coaching vacancy.
According to John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports, Josh Bartelstein will remain as CEO with the franchise, while Gregory will report directly to Ishbia on any basketball related decision. The first domino of the Suns’ offseason has dropped, and it’ll be the first of many that will come this summer.
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
