The Phoenix Suns’ organization already has a hefty Michigan State influence with owner Matt Ishbia and [general manager Brian Gregory](https://www.mlive.com/spartans/2025/05/ex-michigan-state-assistant-named-general-manager-of-phoenix-suns.html) each being former Spartans.
The next head coach of the Suns might very well come with Michigan State men’s basketball and Tom Izzo connections as former Spartans video coordinator Jordan Ott is reportedly a finalist for the role.
The current Cleveland Cavaliers assistant is said to be among the final two in the search alongside Cleveland associate head coach Johnnie Bryant, according to multiple reports.
This would be Ott’s first head-coaching job.
Ishbia and Gregory each played a role in Michigan State’s 2000 national championship team, Ishbia as a walk-on player and Gregory as an assistant under Izzo.
Ott’s bona fides go beyond his five years spent with Izzo, breaking down game and practice film and scouting opposing teams while earning a master’s degree in athletic administration from the school.
He took on a similar role with the Atlanta Hawks from 2013-2016 before stints as an assistant with the Brooklyn Nets (2016-2022), Los Angeles Lakers (2022-2024) and a reunion with NBA Coach of the Year Kenny Atkinson in Cleveland this season.
Ott and Bryant are set to interview with Ishbia, Gregory and CEO Josh Bartelstein later this week in Michigan, per a [report from ESPN’s Shams Charania](https://go.skimresources.com?id=126006X1587345&xs=1&xcust=jacob-richman|&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.espn.com%2Fnba%2Fstory%2F_%2Fid%2F45435950%2Fsources-cavaliers-bryant-ott-finalists-suns-coaching-job).
The Suns are coming off a 36-46 record this season, firing first-year coach Mike Budenholzer the day after the regular season concluded. The next hire will be the Suns’ fourth head coach in four seasons.