PHOENIX – Phoenix Suns head coach Jordan Ott is starting to settle in to his new role. The first time head coach has done his due diligence to make it to this moment and now moves onto the next order of business of filling out his bench of assistants. NBA Insider Marc Stein has highlighted that Ott has found two of the top three assistants for next season, with the final spot being reserved for a former head coach.
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Jun 10, 2025; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns head coach Jordan Ott during an introductory press conference at the Verizon 5g Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Stein on Suns Ott’s assistant coaching search:
“On the coaching front: It is believed that DeMarre Carroll and Brian Randle will fill two of the three front-of-bench spots on Jordan Ott’s first staff in Phoenix … with Ott said to be seeking a former NBA head coach as his top assistant.”
Jun 10, 2025; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns head coach Jordan Ott reacts as he speaks alongside general manager Brian Gregory during an introductory press conference at the Verizon 5g Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
DeMarre Carroll is a former 10+ year NBA veteran, who joined Ott with the Cleveland Cavaliers as an assistant. Ott coached Carroll when he was an assistant with the Brooklyn Nets, and they found themselves back together in Phoenix. The duo’s reunion isn’t the only one in the Valley with Brian Randle.
Randle was under the leadership of former Suns head coach Monty Williams from 2020-2023. After Williams’ firing, Randle followed him to the Detroit Pistons in 2024, but then moved on to the Washington Wizards the next season. The 40-year-old had a successful college and pro career before getting into coaching and joining Ott’s staff.
Jan 18, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Washington Wizards assistant coach Brian Randle before the game between the Golden State Warriors and the Washington Wizards at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Edwards-Imagn Images
“You want your staff to be high character and high care, so who they are as people: loyal, trustworthy; and then do they do the work?” Ott said. “And if we can consistently find that in our staff, we’re in good shape.”
Ott is looking for similar age coaches that share the same philosophies as him. Finding that connectivity between coaches in a staff is how structure and a culture is formed. If everyone believes in a common goal, then so will the players. Ott’s top assistant will be a former head coach that fits that mold and buys into what he’s building in Phoenix.
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
