Monty Williams

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Lore & Background

Williams was born on October 8, 1971, in Fredericksburg, Virginia. He attended Potomac High School in Oxon Hill, Maryland. He played college basketball at the University of Notre Dame as a small forward, averaging 22.4 points and 8.4 rebounds in his senior season. He was selected 24th overall by the New York Knicks in the 1994 NBA draft despite a pre-existing heart condition. He played for the Knicks, San Antonio Spurs, Denver Nuggets, Orlando Magic, and Philadelphia 76ers. Chronic knee problems forced him into retirement in 2003.

In Their Own Story

On June 7, 2010, the New Orleans Hornets offered Monty Williams a three-year contract to become their head coach. At 38, he was the youngest head coach in the NBA. In his debut season, he guided the team to a 46–36 record and a playoff appearance. On August 18, 2012, he accepted a four-year contract extension from the Hornets, who later became the Pelicans. On June 9, 2013, he joined the U.S. national team as an assistant coach for the 2016 Olympics. The 2014–15 Pelicans went 45–37 but fell to the Golden State Warriors in the first round. On May 12, 2015, after five seasons, Williams was let go with a 173–221 regular season record and a 2–8 playoff mark.

Reader's Guide

Williams began his coaching career as an intern with the San Antonio Spurs in 2005, winning an NBA championship. He was an assistant coach for the Portland Trail Blazers from 2005 to 2010. He became head coach of the New Orleans Hornets on June 7, 2010, at age 38, making him the youngest head coach in the NBA at that time. He coached the Hornets/Pelicans until May 12, 2015, compiling a 173–221 regular season record and 2–8 in the playoffs. He later served as associate head coach for the Oklahoma City Thunder, lead assistant for the Philadelphia 76ers, and head coach of the Phoenix Suns from 2019 to 2023. He led the Suns to the 2021 NBA Finals and was named NBA Coach of the Year in 2022. He was fired by the Suns in 2023. He then signed a six-year, $78.5 million contract to coach the Detroit Pistons in 2023, but was fired after one season with a 14–68 record.

Did You Know?

• Williams was the youngest head coach in the NBA at age 38 when hired by the New Orleans Hornets in 2010.
• He led the Phoenix Suns to their first NBA Finals appearance since 1993 in 2021.
• He was named NBA Coach of the Year in 2022 after the Suns set a franchise record with 64 wins.
• Williams' first wife, Ingrid, died in a car crash in 2016.
• He won an NBA championship as a coaching intern with the San Antonio Spurs in 2005.