In this Wednesday, April 13, 2016, photo, Phoenix Suns interim coach Earl Watson, right, watches the action from the sidelines during the NBA team's basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers in Phoenix. The Suns have removed Watson’s ‘interim’ tag, making him the team’s head coach.Ross D. Franklin/The Associated Press
The Phoenix Suns are retaining Earl Watson as head coach for next season.
Watson was named interim coach after Jeff Hornacek was fired on Feb. 1.
The team went 9-24 under Watson, finishing the season with the second-worst record in franchise history. But Watson has said he was told he would not be judged on wins and losses because of the injury-depleted roster he inherited but on other factors, including how hard the team played.
In a news release announcing the decision to keep Watson, Phoenix general manager Ryan McDonough praised the coach's "natural leadership qualities and ability to connect with and motivate" the Suns players.
The 36-year-old Watson, who played in the NBA for 13 seasons, is the league's youngest coach.