The Suns are adding former Grizzlies and Knicks head coach David Fizdale to be an assistant on Frank Vogel‘s coaching staff, sources tell Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN (Twitter link).
According to Wojnarowski, Phoenix made a “significant financial play” to lure Fizdale away from his current position as associate general manager of the Jazz. John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM, who first reported that Fizdale was a prime candidate to join Vogel in Phoenix, hears that Fizdale tripled his salary and will be making in the range of $1.2-1.5MM annually (Twitter link).
Gambadoro writes that Fizdale was happy with his job in Utah, but enjoyed working with Vogel after spending the 2021/22 season on his staff with the Lakers. Wojnarowski notes that Fizdale also has experience with Suns president of basketball operations and GM James Jones, as they spent several years together in Miami when Jones was a player, winning a couple of championships.
Fizdale, who played college ball at San Diego from 1992-96, became an assistant coach at his alma mater in 1998. He made the transition to the NBA in 2003 and served as an assistant coach for the Warriors, Hawks, and Heat before being hired as the head coach of the Grizzlies in 2016. The 48-year-old had brief head coaching stints in Memphis and New York, compiling a 71-134 record (.346 winning percentage) and making one playoff appearance.
How does an assistant coach make more than an assistant general manager? Is that normal or is Utah just cheap?
Good question, Fizdale is a talented coach.
Ahh no not at all
It was probably a trial basis or something. But you’re right, that’s pretty cheap of them. Surprising based on what the Jazz owner’s track record has been with finances. He’s not a cheapskate owner at all.
Take that for data comes to phoenix.
I don’t blame him. We just had a record amount of snow this past year. Now watch, this year we’ll get hardly any. Lol
Assistant coaches almost always make more $$ than similarly ranking people in the FO, just as players almost always make more than similarly ranking people on the coaching staff. Same basis on which all salaries are determined.
I will never get over him starting J Green over Zach Randolph. Horrible coach. Top 5 worst of all time