"He's the real Coach Carter" - NBA fans stunned over former Suns coach Monty Williams' unexpected coaching shift

Following his underwhelming one-year coaching stint with the Detroit Pistons, veteran NBA coach Monty Williams' coaching future appeared to be in jeopardy. However, to many NBA fans' surprise, Williams is reportedly transitioning to the high school coaching ranks.

On Sunday, San Antonio's TMI Episcopal prep school announced Williams as its next coach on Instagram. The school highlighted Williams' "extensive" NBA coaching experience, adding that he will have the opportunity to coach his sons, Elijah and Micah.

"We are excited to announce that Monty Williams will be our new head coach for the boys' basketball team," TMI Episcopal wrote.

"Coach Williams brings extensive coaching experience, including his most recent roles in the NBA as the head coach of the Detroit Pistons and Phoenix Suns. ... He and his wife, Lisa, recently moved to San Antonio and are also TMI parents to Elijah, class of '26, and Micah, class of '29."

Across 785 games as an NBA head coach with the New Orleans Pelicans, Phoenix Suns and Detroit, Monty Williams amassed a 381-404 (.485) coaching record.

He led the Suns to the 2021 NBA Finals and won the league's Coach of the Year award the following season. However, Williams' reputation took a hit after he signed a then-historic six-year, $78.5 million contract with the Pistons during the 2023 offseason.

After reportedly hesitating to take on another coaching gig, Williams accepted the mammoth deal. However, his tenure with Detroit was short-lived, as he led the franchise to an NBA-worst 14-68 record last season and got fired after one year.

Following the unexpected news of Williams' latest hiring, some NBA fans on X/Twitter mocked the veteran coach for getting demoted.

"From coaching an NBA team to the finals to being a high school coach. Life comes at you fast," @JustAKidwHoop said.

"From being the highest-paid head coach in the NBA to coaching high school," @AtomicOVO wrote.

However, others commended Williams for capitalizing on his situation.

"Still getting paid a fat contract from Detroit and get to coach your son now. He's living life," @BronGotGame said.

"LMAO, he's getting a bag from Phoenix and Detroit. He's still living the dream," @NbaK824 wrote.

"Got his bag and bounced. Respect,"@wannabefresh said.

Meanwhile, one fan quipped about Williams following in legendary high school basketball coach Ken Carter's footsteps.

"He's the real Coach Carter," @wesleysteele_ wrote.

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Monty Williams still owed $65-plus million from Pistons amid high school coaching shift

Despite suffering a reputation hit last season, Monty Williams is still owed a hefty salary from Detroit.

The organization will reportedly pay him the remaining $65-plus million on his contract over the next five years, as the amount was fully guaranteed. Thus, Williams will indirectly be America's highest-paid high school basketball coach this season.

So, while Williams appears unlikely to receive another NBA head coaching gig, financially, he should be set for life.

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