Pistons hiring Williams as head coach on reported 6-year, $78.5M deal

The Detroit Pistons announced Friday that Monty Williams was hired as their next head coach.

The deal is for six years and $78.5 million, sources told Shams Charania and James Edwards III of The Athletic.

It's the largest coaching contract in league history, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

Williams' deal could reach up to $100 million with incentives, Charania and Edwards report. It also includes team options for Years 7 and 8.

The $13-million annual salary will put Williams among the league's highest-paid coaches.

"I couldn't be more proud to have Monty joining us at this important time to lead us into the next decade of our future," Pistons owner Tom Gores said in a statement. "He embodies all of the qualities we want in a leader for our Pistons franchise, and most importantly a teacher and mentor for our players. He will have an impact on every aspect of our franchise, on and off the court.

Detroit reportedly considered former UConn and Overtime Elite coach Kevin Ollie, New Orleans Pelicans assistant Jarron Collins, and Milwaukee Bucks associate head coach Charles Lee as finalists for the job early in May before Williams became available.

The Phoenix Suns fired Williams following a second-round playoff exit at the hands of the Denver Nuggets.

Williams compiled a 194-115 regular-season record (.628 winning percentage) in four years with the Suns.

He was named Coach of the Year following the 2021-22 season after he led Phoenix to a 64-18 mark. Williams also guided the Suns to the NBA Finals in 2021 where they lost to the Bucks in six games.

The veteran bench boss previously spent time with the Oklahoma City Thunder and Philadelphia 76ers as an assistant. He served as a head coach in New Orleans from 2010 to 2015.