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Phoenix Suns: 5 Long-Term Replacements For Jeff Hornacek

By Gerald Bourguet

Jan 8, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns head coach Jeff Hornacek in the second half against the Miami Heat at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Heat defeated the Suns 103-95. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 8, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns head coach Jeff Hornacek in the second half against the Miami Heat at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Heat defeated the Suns 103-95. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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April 18, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; ESPN broadcaster Mark Jackson (left), broadcaster Jeff Van Gundy (center), and broadcaster Mike Breen (right) talk before game one of the first round of the NBA Playoffs between the Golden State Warriors and the New Orleans Pelicans at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Honorable Mentions

Earl Watson — Over the summer, the Suns hired former Portland Trail Blazer Earl Watson to join the team’s coaching staff in an attempt to lure LaMarcus Aldridge to Phoenix. Now, according to Woj, the recently promoted Watson could be in line to be the interim coach of the Suns. He’d really have to exceed expectations to lock in a long-term deal, however.

Corey Gaines — Gaines has served in a player development coach since the 2013-14 season and was promoted to a full-time assistant coach again before the start of the 2015-16 season. He also served as the coach of the Phoenix Mercury from 2007-13, but like Watson, he would have to prove himself if he took on the interim role.

Nate Bjorkgren — The former coach of the Suns’ D-League affiliate, the Bakersfield Jam, Bjorkgren joined Watson in moving to Hornacek’s bench a little over a month ago. With so many of Phoenix’s players having suited up for him in Bakersfield, he’s familiar with a significant portion of the roster.

More from Phoenix Suns

Dan Majerle — An intriguing option as another former Suns fan favorite, but this bridge might be burned. After Phoenix fired Alvin Gentry in 2013, the front office chose Lindsey Hunter to take over as interim coach over Thunder Dan. Majerle left the organization at that point and signed a four-year contract last summer to coach Grand Canyon University’s basketball team, which has a 19-3 record so far this season.

Steve Nash — Keeping with the theme of bringing back former fan favorites, there’d be no move more nostalgically satisfying than this. The Vertical’s Chris Mannix suggests this could be an option, given owner Robert Sarver’s love for Nash, but for all his brilliance on the court, he has zero head coaching experience.

Jeff Van Gundy — Van Gundy is always included whenever an NBA team has a head coaching vacancy, but the current ESPN commentator seems to be the white whale of coaching candidates at this point. According to a Basketball Insiders report, JVG is only open to returning to head coaching if he’s also granted organizational oversight like his brother Stan Van Gundy has in Detroit. Unless Ryan McDonough is about to get the axe as well, that’s not happening here in Phoenix.

Mark Jackson — Credit Mark Jackson for helping the Golden State Warriors re-establish a winning culture, getting the team’s younger players to buy in and installing a top-10 defense. But given the messy conclusion to his tenure in Oakland, can you imagine how uncomfortable his embattled personality might make life if he conflicted with an owner like Robert Sarver?

Vinny Del Negro — No. Just…no.

Next: No. 5

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