Michael "Mike" Budenholzer, the head coach of the Phoenix Suns since May 2024, hails from Holbrook, Arizona. He is also known as "Bud" or "Coach Bud." From 2018 to 2023, he was the head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks, who had their league’s best record in the 2022–23 regular season and won the 2021 NBA championship. But in May 2023, Budenholzer was let go by the Bucks after they fell to the Miami Heat in five games in the playoffs' first round. Under then-head coach Gregg Popovich, Budenholzer started his coaching career in 1996 with the San Antonio Spurs and served for 19 seasons. After that, he was the head coach of the Atlanta Hawks from 2013 to 2018.
Budenholzer attended Holbrook High School, after which he joined Pomona College in 1988-91 and 1992-93. In 1991, he played for the Pentland in the Scottish National Basketball League for months while attending the University of Edinburgh. Later, he played professionally in Denmark with Vejle Basketball Klub, where he averaged a team-high 27.5 points per game in 1993–94. He is a two-time NBA All-Star Game Head Coach and NBA Coach of the Year in 2015 and 2019. Further, he won NBCA Coach of the Year honors in 2019 and 2020. He won his first NBA Coach of the Year title in 2014-15, and he coached the Hawks to the best Eastern record with a franchise record of 60 wins.
What is Mike Budenholzer’s salary?
Mike Budenholzer earns nearly $10 million per year with the Phoenix Suns, as per Shams Charania of The Athletic. His total career earnings as a coach are not available as of November 2024.
Mike Budenholzer’s Contract
Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium reports that the Phoenix Suns signed Mike Budenholzer as their new head coach in May 2024, agreeing to a five-year contract worth at least $50 million.
Budenholzer was expected to accompany the team to the 2024 NBA Draft Combine in Chicago, which begins this weekend, and work on assembling a coaching staff, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The Suns fired Frank Vogel after one season. They finished 49-33 in the regular season and were then swept by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
Budenholzer will become the Suns’ third head coach in three seasons. Mat Ishbia, the owner of Phoenix, also fired Vogel and Monty Williams in consecutive years during that time. Vogel had a four-year contract for almost $20 million. Going into the offseason, the Suns will have the most payroll of any NBA team at $209 million.
The franchise is subject to a $116 million luxury tax penalty. The Suns will officially be spending more than $16 million annually on their head coach after Budenholzer has been hired. According to Shams Charania, Frank Vogel also owes more than $6 million annually through 2027–2028. (via Basketball Insider)
FAQs on Mike Budenholzer
A. The Athletic's Shams Charania reports that Mike Budenholzer has agreed to a five-year deal worth more than $50 million in May 2024.
A. As head coach, Mike Budenholzer led the Milwaukee Bucks to the 2021 NBA championship. As an assistant coach, he won four NBA titles with the Spurs in 1999, 2003, 2005, and 2007.
A. Yes, Mike Budenholzer has been the Phoenix Suns' head coach since May 2024. He has been coaching for about 30 years, dating back to 1996.
A. Mike Budenholzer has six siblings: Jim, Theresa, Joe, Richard, Helen, and Bill.
A. Mike Budenholzer hails from Holbrook, Arizona, in the United States.
