PHOENIX — Mike Budenholzer got a little teary-eyed talking about his past in Arizona, describing an idyllic childhood in the small town of Holbrook, about three hours northeast of Phoenix.
Those tears dried up in a hurry when talking about his future.
“It’s mind-boggling to me, like mind-blowing, to think that I’m going to be the head coach of the Phoenix Suns,” Budenholzer said Friday during an introductory news conference in downtown Phoenix.
Budenholzer, 54, replaces Frank Vogel, who was fired May 9 after one disappointing season. The two-time NBA Coach of the Year will be charged with getting more out of the team’s All-Star trio of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal as the franchise continues to chase a championship.
The group never quite meshed last season under Vogel, finishing with a 49-33 record before getting swept by Minnesota in the first round of the playoffs.
“I’m excited about working with this roster and these players,” Budenholzer said. “We have great players. And with great players come great expectations. I think we embrace that.”
Budenholzer spoke Friday in front of a few dozen family and friends, including his 94-year-old dad, Vince, whom Budenholzer called “the original coach Bud.” Mike Budenholzer won the 2021 NBA title while leading the Milwaukee Bucks — a championship that came at the expense of the Suns.
Phoenix has never won a title, advancing to the Finals three times in 56 seasons.
Budenholzer was fired by the Bucks in 2023 after five seasons and didn’t coach in the NBA this past season. He also coached the Atlanta Hawks from 2013 to 2018 and has a 484-317 record over 10 seasons.
Before he went to Atlanta, Budenholzer spent 17 years as an assistant for the San Antonio Spurs and coach Gregg Popovich.
“This year, for me, was really healthy,” Budenholzer said. “I kind of had a list of priorities, diving into my kids and my family, super important. We’ve been through a lot. So really, the time with my kids was just amazing. My son’s a senior in high school — going to every one of his games — driving home you’re like, ‘Wow, I got a gift.”
As much as he loved the chance to recharge, he’s ready to get back on the court.
“I’d like to keep coaching as much and as long as I can,” he added.
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