Mat Ishbia Ridiculed for Speculated Reliance on Spartan Heritage

Ott, who has no prior head coaching experience, is a former Michigan State basketball staff member. Earlier this spring, Ishbia had also promoted Brian Gregory, a former Michigan State basketball assistant coach, whom he played for, as general manager.

Fans are viewing it all as a pattern that isn't coincidental and have been quite critical of what they sense to be biased hires.

According to ESPN's Shams Charania, who broke the story that the Suns were hiring Ott, had reported that the hiring process was a "comprehensive, four-round search that included over 15 candidates." With this considered, while it may have played a factor to some extent, Ishbia having immediately latched onto the Michigan State connection doesn't seem likely. It's clear there was more careful consideration than that.

With that said, the hire is a major downgrade when you consider the Suns' last two head coaches, Mike Budenholzer and Monty Williams, were both NBA Coach of the Year winners, Budenholzer having won the award twice. He also won a championship with the Milwaukee Bucks, ironically against Phoenix.

The frustration is fair.

Ishbia played at Michigan State for three seasons and was part of back-to-back Final Four appearances that included a title in 2000. He went on to become one of the school's wealthiest alums and is a courteous donor.

Ishbia purchased the Suns in 2022, joined by his brother and fellow Spartan alum, Justin Ishbia, as part majority owner.

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