The Phoenix Suns have hopped into the coaching search after letting go of Mike Budenholzer, the team's fourth coach in as many seasons. Adding to the lineage of chaos from their bench, the Suns were displeased enough with a premature end to the season without so much as a play-in berth.
Now back on the hunt, Phoenix could be back in the hunt for a familiar face to right the ship that has gone very astray since the team's purchase by new owner Matt Ishbia. And by familiar face, I mean the man they should have hired years ago.
Seizing an opportunity with Brigham Young University, a school tied to his religious affiliation, Young jumped at the prospect of a position that allowed more time with his family, a greater work-life balance, and a program with untapped potential to be turned into a national superpower.
In just one season with the Cougs, he's sent one player to the NBA Draft, pushed the team to a Sweet 16 appearance, acquired the top recruit in the 2025 class (and likely number one selection in the subsequent draft), and secured his program's place as a premier option for NBA talent to develop thanks to an NBA outlook that leaks into every aspect of BYU's facilities, trainers, and staff.
It doesn't hurt to be in one of the most favorable NIL situations the sport has ever seen, either.
So, with this instant success adding to his overstuffed resume, it's no surprise the Suns have been in contact with their old buddy in the hopes of rekindling what was once a fruitful relationship.
Said CBS' Sam Quinn of the situation, "[Young] now coaches BYU in his home state of Utah, and the job is pretty desirable. With Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith bankrolling the program, he has had access to top prospects like Egor Demin and, next year, AJ Dybantsa."
Why Join the Suns?
Familiarity aside, Coach Young would have plenty of reasons to consider a return to the team that nurtured his blossoming coaching career.
For one, a head coaching position comes with incredible status as one of the 30 greatest minds in basketball. Any basketball coach dreams of taking the reigns for an NBA squad, and Kevin Young's experience -- both in the league and without -- makes him a prime candidate to plug into any team and hit the ground running.
If offered the position several seasons ago, Young would have almost certainly jumped at the chance to lead the likes of superstars Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, and the remaining roster.
Not to mention the ridiculous payday he'd be in store for should he accept an NBA head coaching role.
Why Stick with BYU?
Now one season (nearly to the day) of Kevin Young's hire being announced to the public, Kevin Young's name has already been tossed around as a candidate to flip back to the NBA. But in all honesty, abandoning ship at this moment makes very little sense for Young, even if the offer is taking charge of an NBA roster.
Young's first season at BYU exceeded all reasonable expectations. Though the start was a bit uneven, it's hard to deny the success of a semifinal exit in the Big 12 Tournament, and a Sweet 16 bid in a top-heavy NCAA Tournament field.
With the incoming batch of hoopers taking aim on Cosmo's behalf next season, BYU's potential could be a championship -- the same can't be said of the Phoenix Suns' current situation. Given the recent activity in Phoenix's front office, Young would likely be on the job hunt in a year's time, and that shouldn't be the preferred route for a coach in his stable position.
Behind total control and the power to shape the BYU basketball program to his will, no payday or cushy NBA gig would be enough to sway Young from the Cougars.
Still, the news of his consideration can only be viewed as a positive for a BYU team on the rise.