In a stunning career pivot that has left basketball insiders bewildered, Brian Gregory has been named the new general manager of the Phoenix Suns. Just two years after being fired from his third NCAA head coaching position at South Florida, Gregory now holds one of the most coveted executive positions in professional basketball.
The announcement on May 1, 2025, comes amid a sweeping front office restructuring following the Suns’ disappointing 36-46 season. Former GM James Jones, who led Phoenix to four consecutive playoff appearances, has been moved to a senior advisor role as the organization looks to chart a new course with Gregory at the helm.
Brian Gregory: From Collegiate Struggles to NBA Opportunity
Gregory’s college coaching career was marked by mixed results across three programs. At Dayton (2003-2011), he compiled a respectable 172-94 record with two NCAA Tournament appearances and an NIT Championship in 2010. However, his stints at Georgia Tech (76-86) and South Florida (79-107) ended with his dismissal after failing to establish consistent winning programs.
It’s absolutely wild that the guy who got fired at Georgia Tech and South Florida and never worked in the NBA just pops up and is now the GM of the Phoenix Suns. My mind is truly blown. https://t.co/VRaUlz8AC5
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) May 1, 2025
As Dan Wolken bluntly stated on Twitter, “It’s absolutely wild that the guy who got fired at Georgia Tech and South Florida and never worked in the NBA just pops up and is now the GM of the Phoenix Suns. My mind is truly blown.” This sentiment reflects the widespread surprise at Gregory’s rapid ascent to a position typically reserved for seasoned NBA executives.
The shock expressed by industry insiders stems from Gregory’s lack of prior NBA front office experience before joining the Suns organization in 2023. His promotion represents one of the most unconventional executive appointments in recent NBA history, especially for a franchise with championship aspirations built around stars like Devin Booker.
The Michigan State Connection
The key to understanding Gregory’s surprising career trajectory lies in his connection to Suns owner Mat Ishbia. Both men share a Michigan State basketball pedigree, Gregory served as an assistant coach under Tom Izzo when Ishbia was a walk-on player during the Spartans’ 2000 NCAA championship season.
This relationship proved pivotal when Gregory joined the Suns in June 2023 as vice president of player programming and evaluation.
In less than two years, he impressed ownership with his basketball intellect and played a significant role in the 2024 NBA Draft, helping select promising young players like Ryan Dunn and Oso Ighodaro.
Throughout his brief NBA tenure, Gregory has drawn on his extensive player development background from his collegiate coaching days.
While his NCAA head coaching record (327-287 overall) shows mixed results his strengths in talent evaluation and player programming apparently resonated with Ishbia and the Suns leadership.
Gregory now faces urgent tasks ahead, including critical decisions about Kevin Durant’s future and hiring a new head coach following Mike Budenholzer’s dismissal.
The 58-year-old executive must quickly stabilize a franchise that missed the playoffs despite having multiple All-Stars on its roster.
KEEP READING: 11 Early NBA Draft Entrants Every College Basketball Fan Should Be Watching in 2025
Gregory’s story shows how relationships and specific skills can open doors even after career setbacks. The basketball world will be watching closely as his success will ultimately be measured by one thing: how fast he can make the Suns championship contenders again.
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
