As the Phoenix Suns begin their high-stakes search for a new head coach, one name has surged to the forefront—Kevin Young, the recently appointed head coach at Brigham Young University. With the NBA offseason heating up, reports suggest Young is not just a candidate, but a frontrunner for the Suns’ open coaching position. The growing speculation has sent ripples of uncertainty through BYU’s basketball community, raising serious questions about whether the Cougars’ new era under Young may end before it truly begins.
Kevin Young’s coaching pedigree is impressive. Before accepting the BYU job in 2024, he served as the associate head coach for the Phoenix Suns under Monty Williams and later Frank Vogel, contributing significantly to the team’s playoff runs and development of young talent. Known for his basketball IQ, player relationships, and strategic mind, Young was widely considered a head coach in waiting. It was something of a coup for BYU when they landed him last year—a hire that brought fresh optimism to a program navigating its transition into the Big 12.
But just as BYU fans began to look forward to what the future could hold with Young at the helm, the NBA has come calling once again. The Suns, having parted ways with Vogel after another disappointing postseason run, appear eager to bring back someone familiar with the organization, its stars, and its system. Kevin Young fits that mold perfectly.
Sources close to the situation suggest that the Suns’ front office has already reached out to Young, and negotiations could intensify in the coming days. For BYU, the timing couldn’t be worse. With offseason workouts and recruiting in full swing, the mere possibility of losing Young so soon is enough to cause anxiety among players, staff, and fans alike.
There’s also the emotional side of the story. Young has spoken publicly about his excitement to lead BYU and build something lasting in Provo. However, the lure of an NBA head coaching job—especially with a franchise like the Suns, who are in win-now mode—may be too tempting to ignore. After years of working his way up the coaching ladder, this could be the moment Kevin Young has been waiting for.
As the Suns finalize their shortlist and prepare to make a decision, the future of both franchises hangs in the balance. Will Kevin Young stay the course in college basketball, or will he leap back into the NBA spotlight? One thing’s for certain—the basketball world is watching, and the clock is ticking.
