National Basketball Association

Monty Williams named Spurs' VP of Basketball Operations

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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One of basketball’s greatest people was rewarded Friday, as former Pelicans coach Monty Williams was named VP of Basketball Operations for the San Antonio Spurs.

The inspiring and impressive saga of Monty Williams continued this week, as the former New Orleans Pelicans coach was named Vice President of Basketball Operations for the San Antonio Spurs. The announcement came as part of a broader group of moves: the team promoted, among others, a new director of basketball strategy, director of scouting, and basketball operations manager. Additionally, the Spurs named Andy Birdsong their director of pro player personnel and the General Manager of their Development League affiliate, the Austin Spurs. Finally, former New York Knick Landry Fields was hired to join the Spurs’ college scouting staff.

The inspiring and impressive saga of Monty Williams continued this week, as the former New Orleans Pelicans coach was named Vice President of Basketball Operations for the San Antonio Spurs. The announcement came as part of a broader group of promotions: the team promoted, among others, a new director of basketball strategy, director of scouting, and basketball operations manager. Additionally, the Spurs named Andy Birdsong their director of pro player personnel and the General Manager of their Development League affiliate, the Austin Spurs. Finally, former New York Knick Landry Fields was hired to join the Spurs’ college coaching staff.

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Always ahead of the curve, this group of moves fits the mold. By maintaining a high level of focus on the D-League team and continuing to find smart and experienced basketball minds to populate their front office, the Spurs continue to build their team even amid an unprecedented dynasty. Monty Williams certainly fits this mold.

As the Pelicans coach, Williams made the playoffs twice with separate cores of players, always instilling a sense of discipline and solid fundamental play in his players. Prior to his time in New Orleans, Williams worked as a coaching intern in his first operations stint in San Antonio before coaching under basketball lifer Nate McMillan in Portland. In 2013, Monty was hired as a Team USA assistant under Coach K, where he joined Minny’s Tom Thibodeau and Syracuse’s Jim Boeheim at the end of the bench. That led to his work in the 2014 FIBA Championships in Spain, as well as his leadership of this summer’s roster in a gold medal Olympic run.

Of course, Williams’ importance to the sport of basketball runs deeper than playoff appearances or gold medals. As a coach and mentor, Monty’s guiding hand has played a vital role in many a player’s life. Guys like Ryan Anderson, Anthony Morrow and Nuggets coach Michael Malone (and countless others) speak glowingly of the coach as a father figure, close friend, and confidant. Having spent time with nearly half of the league’s franchises as a player, coach, or executive, Williams has become one of the absolute most beloved and respected men in all of basketball.

Understanding the emphasis that the Spurs place on culture, it’s no mystery why they would put their faith in someone like Monty Williams. No one anywhere provides a better mix of strategic and cultural value, and having someone at the top who has a clear understanding of the importance of that mix will only make the Spurs better (as if they needed that). If nothing else, it’s further public praise for someone whose generosity has gone unnoticed in small markets, behind quiet kindness.

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