National Basketball Association

Report: Monty Williams ready to return to NBA with Spurs

Published Nov. 15, 2016 3:13 p.m. ET

Dan Graf

USA Basketball assistant coach Monty Williams reportedly is ready to return to an NBA job after losing his wife, Ingrid, to an automobile accident in February.

Williams, who left his position as an Oklahoma City Thunder associate head coach after the tragedy, will accept a job with the San Antonio Spurs, according to ESPN.

He reportedly will fill either a coaching and player-development role or a front-office position. Williams, 44, was the head coach of the New Orleans Pelicans from 2010-15 before spending part of last season with the Thunder.

According to ESPN – which interviewed Williams about how he’s coping with the loss – Williams’ in-laws live in San Antonio and have been helping him with raising his five children. He has been working alongside Spurs coach Gregg Popovich with USA Basketball since July 18 and is enjoying coaching again.

"I've only had peace about a few things," Williams told ESPN. "I knew I had to take care of my kids and stop coaching, but also knew that I wanted to be a part of USA Basketball, because it's a once-in-a-lifetime thing.

"I can't wait to get back and start coaching. I wouldn't even think that if I didn't know, one, my wife would want me to. My kids talk about it all the time. And there have been some things that have happened in my life lately that have allowed me to get that back."