DETROIT, MI (June 2, 2023) — The Detroit Pistons today announced an agreement with Monte Williams to join the organization as head coach. Williams, who will be officially introduced at a news conference in Detroit next week, has already initiated the transition and has begun scheduling player meetings and personnel development.
“I couldn’t be prouder to have Monty joining us at this important time to lead us into the next decade of our future,” said Pistons owner Tom Joris. “He embodies all the qualities we want in a leader for the Pistons franchise, and most importantly, he is a teacher and mentor to our players. He will have an impact on every aspect of our franchise on and off the field.”
“Having spent some time with Monty, it’s clear he’s found a unique balance between delivering victory at the highest level while nurturing a culture of growth, development and inspiration,” said Joris. “I am so excited. This is a huge victory for us.”
Williams agreed to the terms after a stormy series of discussions with Gores, Pistons general manager Troy Weaver and other Pistons executives that began over Memorial Day weekend and culminated Thursday in a signed agreement.
“A week ago, I wasn’t sure what the future held,” Williams said. But, after speaking with Tom and Troy, I was excited to hear about their vision for the Pistons moving forward. They had a well thought out plan and I very much appreciated the focus they put on the personal side of this business. They showed such great care to me and my family throughout this process.
“They’ve also shown a commitment to success and to doing things the right way,” he said. “As we discussed the team and expressed our collective goals, I knew this would be a great opportunity for me to help a talented young team and build a strong culture here in Detroit. This is clearly a special place with a deep history in basketball, and my family and I look forward to the opportunity to be a part of this. City and organization.
Weaver said the Pistons, who were already interviewing candidates for the head coaching position, were surprised when Williams became available.
“Monty represents the perfect prototype for our young team, but we didn’t expect him to be available,” Weaver said. “When he suddenly became available, we took the opportunity to talk to him. That’s not to say that others in our operation weren’t strong candidates. They were. But Monty is the prototype.”
“When we embarked on this quest, we wanted a leader who focused on discipline, defense, and development,” said Weaver. “His ability, experience and philosophy checks all of these boxes. He has a high personality and conviction. He will be a great leader and mentor to our young core, and given his career as a player, he will connect with our veteran players as well.”
Williams’ initial team offer, a call to gauge his interest in meeting to discuss the Pistons opportunity, was put on hold, as he took time to consider whether or not to return to coaching immediately, or wait a year.
Over Memorial Day weekend, Gores and Weaver reconnected with Williams, offering insight as to what a chance to join the Pistons would look like. The initial invitation led to a meeting at Joris’ home, and a substantive discussion that led to the outline of what would eventually become a deal.
“I was able to spend time with Monty and his family, and it was clear that he is not only a great coach and leader, but a man of great character who shares our goal of being influential on and off the field,” said Joris.
“Dwane Casey, who moved into the front office position, helped turn the table and guided the early development of our young core. We now have a talented young team ready to take it to the next level, and I have committed to providing every possible resource to maximize their potential.” “We’re investing in Monty, and he’s investing in us. We’re excited to have him.”
Williams, 51, has served as a head coach, assistant coach or assistant coach in the NBA for 16 of the past 18 years. He has coached to one NBA Finals (2021), one NBA All-Star Game (2022) and won a gold medal with USA Men’s Basketball as an assistant coach at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.
He led the Phoenix Suns to the Western Conference Semifinals this past season, and was named the 2022 NBA Coach of the Year after leading the Suns to an NBA- and franchise-best record of 64 wins during the 2021-22 season. He has led Phoenix to the NBA Playoffs in each of the past three seasons, including a trip to the NBA Finals in 2020-21. The Suns won 34 games during his first season while in 2019-20, a 15-game improvement, and 51 games during his second year.
As head coach of the Suns from 2019-23, he compiled a 194-115 (.628) regular season record and the aforementioned NBA Finals appearance in 2021, the Suns’ first trip to the NBA Finals since 1993. He’s compiled 160 wins since beginning of the 2020-21 season, the most in the NBA over that period. Phoenix won two Pacific Division titles during Williams’ tenure, including league and franchise-best 64-18 (. 780) in the regular season in 2021-22. He was named Western Conference Coach of the Month five times during his career and finished runner-up in Coach of the Year voting in 2021. In 2022, Williams became the first coach to represent the Suns as a head coach in an NBA All-Star game since Mike D’Antoni in 2007 .
Prior to being hired with Phoenix, he served as the head coach of the New Orleans Hornets/Pelicans from 2010 to 2015. Williams led New Orleans to the playoffs twice in his five seasons and his 2014-15 team finished eighth in the offensive rankings.
Williams began his professional career after playing as an intern coach under Gregg Popovich during the 2005 NBA Championship season with the San Antonio Spurs and served as Vice President of Basketball Operations for the club from 2016-18. While with the Spurs, he was awarded the Sager Strong Award at an award ceremony. Inaugural NBA in 2017.
He began his career as an assistant coach with the Portland Trail Blazers under head coach Nate McMillan in 2005-06. Portland made the playoffs twice during Williams’ tenure (2008-09 and 2009-10) and the 2008-09 squad ranked second in offense and fourth in opposition points per game.
He also spent one season (2015-16) as an assistant coach for the Oklahoma City Thunder under head coach Billy Donovan and helped the Thunder to the Western Conference Finals. Pistons general manager Troy Weaver was part of the Thunder’s front office during that season.
Williams returned to the bench in 2018-19 for one season as an assistant coach under head coach Brett Brown and the Philadelphia 76ers before being named head coach of the Suns. In seven seasons as an NBA assistant, Williams teams posted a mark of 304-270 (. 530) with four campaigns of 50 or more wins. His teams have qualified for the playoffs in four of the seven seasons.
A native of Fredericksburg, Virginia, Williams played collegiately at the University of Notre Dame (1990-1994). He was named an Honorable Mention All-American in his first season with the Irish, averaging 22.4 points and 8.4 rebounds.
Williams was selected by the New York Knicks in the first round (#24) of the 1994 NBA Draft. He went on to play nine seasons in the NBA with the Knicks, Spurs, Nuggets, Magic, and 76ers. Williams averaged 6.3 points and 2.8 rebounds on 48.1% shooting in 456 career games.
Williams earned his college degree from Notre Dame in 1995. He has five children: Elijah, Jana, Micah, Lyle, and Faith.
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