National Basketball Association

Former NBA head coach Monty Williams joins Spurs as VP of basketball operations

Published Nov. 15, 2016 3:06 p.m. ET

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Monty Williams has joined the Spurs as vice president of basketball operations, according to an official team release. It was reported back in July that he would be accepting a position in San Antonio, but it was unclear whether it would be in a coaching or front office role at that time.

Williams left his position as associate head coach with the Thunder last season after losing his wife, Ingrid, to a car accident in February. He was an inspiration to many for the remarkable speech he delivered at her memorial service.

Williams, 44, played nine NBA seasons, including two in San Antonio. He got his start in coaching by interning with the Spurs during the 2004-05 season, and was an assistant coach in Portland for five seasons before becoming the head coach in New Orleans from 2010-15. He has been part of the USA Basketball coaching staff since 2013, and is extremely well-respected in NBA circles.