Michael Jordan

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Lore & Background

Ott's career began at Penn State University (2004–2007) as a student manager under head coach Ed DeChellis while completing his bachelor's degree. Seeking advanced training unavailable at Penn State, he moved to Michigan State University in 2008 to work with legendary coach Tom Izzo. There, he served as a graduate assistant for the men's basketball team for two years before transitioning to video coordinator, a role he held until 2013 while finishing his master's degree. This technical foundation led directly to his NBA debut in 2013 with the Atlanta Hawks under Mike Budenholzer, where he started as a video coordinator. His transition to assistant coaching came in 2016 when the Brooklyn Nets hired him; he remained there until 2022, working under three different head coaches: Kenny Atkinson, Jacque Vaughn, and Steve Nash.

In Their Own Story

In 2022, Ott left the Nets to join the Los Angeles Lakers as an assistant coach under Darvin Ham. Two years later, in 2024, he returned to a familiar face when the Cleveland Cavaliers hired him as an assistant under head coach Kenny Atkinson, reuniting with the coach he served alongside during his Brooklyn tenure. This reunion highlighted his reputation as a reliable staff member capable of adapting to different coaching philosophies. His trajectory shifted dramatically on June 6, 2025, when the Phoenix Suns named him their twenty-third head coach in team history. This promotion marked the culmination of nearly two decades of development, moving from managing student-athletes at Penn State to leading an NBA franchise.

Reader's Guide

Jordan Ott's path to the head coaching role was defined by specific roles and dates that fans can track. He began as a student manager at Penn State (2004–2007), then served as a graduate assistant and video coordinator at Michigan State (2008–2013). His NBA timeline starts with the Atlanta Hawks (2013–2016) as a video coordinator, followed by his first assistant coaching stint with the Brooklyn Nets (2016–2022). He then moved to the Los Angeles Lakers (2022–2024) and Cleveland Cavaliers (2024–2025) before taking the helm in Phoenix. Notably, his time with Kenny Atkinson spans two different franchises: first in Brooklyn as an assistant under him, and later reuniting with Atkinson in Cleveland where Ott served under Atkinson again before his own promotion.

Did You Know?

• Jordan Ott is a native of McConnellsburg, Pennsylvania, and graduated from there in 2003.
• He earned both his bachelor's degree from Penn State University and his master's degree from Michigan State University.
• Ott reunited with head coach Kenny Atkinson in Cleveland after previously working under him in Brooklyn.
• He served as a video coordinator for the Atlanta Hawks before becoming an assistant coach in 2016.
• On June 6, 2025, Ott became the twenty-third head coach in Phoenix Suns history.