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Phoenix Suns Fire Head Coach After 19th Loss

The Phoenix Suns are in the midst of one of their worst seasons in franchise history, and following their 19th loss in 21 games on Sunday, the team fired head coach Jeff Hornacek. On Tuesday they introduced their new interim head coach, Earl Watson, who was promoted after serving as one of Hornacek’s assistants.

The Suns are currently among the NBA’s worst teams with a 14-35 record and are on their way to missing the playoffs for a sixth-straight season.

On Tuesday the team’s general manager Ryan McDonough told the assembled media at Talking Stick Resort Arena that the Sun's dismal performance wasn’t all on Hornacek. Watson, the Sun's new coach, will make his debut on the sideline Tuesday when they host the Toronto Raptors.

Watson is a former guard, who served mostly as a backup after starring in college at UCLA where he said legendary coach John Wooden was one of his role models. Watson paid homage to Hornacek, who hired him as part of his staff this season.

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Phil Latzman is an award-winning digital journalist and broadcast professional with over 25 years of experience covering news and sports on a multitude of platforms.