Phoenix Suns Fire Coach Mike Longabardi and Jerry Sichting
Phoenix Suns head coach Jeff Hornacek survived the first round of cuts, as the organization fired two assistants — Mike Longabardi and Jerry Sichting.
It comes as no surprise to hear that the Phoenix Suns fired two coaches on Monday morning, but the names are enough to raise an eyebrow. According to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports, the Suns have cut ties with offensive assistant Jerry Sichting and defensive assistant Mike Longabardi.
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The name most expected — head coach Jeff Hornacek — has apparently held onto his job for now, after managing partner Robert Sarver and general manager Ryan McDonough talked individually with players.
For a front office to fire assistants — but not the head coach — because of on-court disappointment isn’t a standard practice, but a precedent has been set. Earlier this year, the Toronto Raptors fired two assistant coaches, but allowed coach Dwane Casey to keep his position. The obvious difference here is that the Phoenix firings are happening during the season.
Head coaches are afforded the opportunity to surround themselves with assistant coaches they trust and believe in. For a front office to fire them is a very blatant shot towards Hornacek, as if to say “this is your absolute last chance to get this right.”
According to Wojnarowski, Hornacek was adamant about holding onto his assistants, but Suns brass would have none of it.
Mired in a 5-10 slump that culminated in an embarrassing loss to the 1-30 Philadelphia 76ers, time is ticking on the Suns season, which started with promise.
Behind a nucleus of Eric Bledsoe, Brandon Knight and Tyson Chandler, the Suns were expected to compete for a playoff spot in the Western Conference. Chandler has been injured for the majority of the season, Knight has been inconsistent and now Bledsoe is facing meniscus surgery (per Suns press release). At 12-20, they’re only two games out of the No. 8 seed, but the path ahead is rocky.
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Phoenix faces a trio of powerhouses in the next week, with the Cleveland Cavaliers, San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder on the docket — those teams hold a combined 66-25 record.