Phoenix Suns associate head coach Kevin Young has been hired as the next men's basketball coach at Brigham Young University, the school announced Tuesday.
Terms were not disclosed, but sources told ESPN that the sides were finalizing a long-term deal.
“Kevin is someone we have been watching for a while,” BYU athletic director Tom Holmoe said in a statement. “He has risen to the top of the NBA assistant coaching ranks. He has been a leading candidate for NBA head coaching positions and has been instrumental in developing high-level NBA talent.
“Kevin will bring a new perspective to our program, with extensive NBA experience. He is a phenomenal fit at BYU.”
Young, the NBA's highest-paid assistant, had been a candidate for NBA head coaching jobs in the past two hiring cycles, but BYU got him a sizable commitment to lead the Cougars to their second Big Conference season. 12 and beyond.
Young replaces Mark Pope, who left to work at Kentucky after giving BYU an NCAA Tournament bid in its inaugural Big 12 season.
Young, who was born in Salt Lake City, will continue to work with the Suns in the playoffs, but will begin building a coaching staff that will immediately begin recruiting for BYU.
Young spent eight years coaching in the NBA G League, including head coaching positions with the Utah Flash, Iowa Energy and Delaware 87ers. Young began gaining momentum as a head coaching candidate a year ago, interviewing with the Milwaukee Bucks, Toronto Raptors, Houston Rockets and Suns. Young previously interviewed for head coaching positions with the Philadelphia 76ers, Utah Jazz and Washington Wizards.
The Charlotte Hornets and Brooklyn Nets also interviewed him for jobs this spring, sources said.
Young began his coaching career in 2007 as an assistant at Utah Valley University.
