Jeff Hornacek could be on his way out in Phoenix according to Yahoo Sports — after Suns brass fired his two top assistant coaches.
The Suns fired top assistant, Mike Longabardi, along with Jerry Sichting on Sunday night — hours after owner Robert Sarver and general manager Ryan McDonough met with starting players and coaching staff on Sunday.
Longabardi was the defensive coordinator on Doc Rivers’ Boston staff when the Celtics had the NBA’s top-ranked defense in 2011-12. He started his college coaching career under Charlotte’s Steve Clifford and his NBA career under Houston’s Jeff Van Gundy.
In the wake of a humiliating loss to the 2-30 Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday night, the latest low in a stretch that has seen the Suns lose 10 of 15 games, Sarver and McDonough held individual meetings with players on Sunday, trying to gain a deeper understanding of the issues surrounding the team’s spiral, league sources told Yahoo Sports.
The Suns are 12-20, and management and players are wondering whether Hornacek has lost his team.
Earl Watson, a former NBA point guard and top Suns assistant — is expected to take on a larger role and could be considered a potential interim head coach if Hornacek is fired.