Report: Utah Jazz Assistant Igor Kokoskov heading to Phoenix
May 2, 2018, 5:46 PM | Updated: 6:08 pm
(Credit: Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Jazz may be on the search for a replacement assistant coach. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported the Phoenix Suns decided to hire Igor Kokoskov.
The Phoenix Suns are hiring Utah Jazz assistant Igor Kokoskov as their new head coach, league sources tell ESPN. Kokoskov, a native of Serbia, will be the first European born head coach in the NBA.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 2, 2018
“It’s a credit to him,” Jazz coach Quin Snyder told the Deseret News in April. “I’ve told him for a number of years that I think he’s a head coach in the NBA. It’s taken him some time to see himself that way because he’s just been focused on doing his job.”
Kokoskov first interviewed for the job last month. He also met with Suns general manager Ryan McDonough right before the Jazz’s Game 1 against the Houston Rockets according to Wojnarowski.
Kokoskov will reportedly sign a three year deal with the Suns. He is a native of Serbia and will be the first European-born head coach in the NBA.
Kokoskov is signing a three-year deal with the Suns, league sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/AvS6ILICtV
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 2, 2018
He will continue as an assistant until the end of the Utah Jazz’s playoff run. Tip-off for the Utah Jazz’s Game 2 is set for 6 p.m.