The Phoenix Suns announced today several significant basketball operations staff moves, headlined by the contract extension for Suns Head Coach Mike D’Antoni.

In addition, it was announced that Mark West will head up additional player programs, both on and off the court, as assistant general manager, player development. Long-time Suns employee David Griffin was promoted to the position of assistant general manager, player personnel and Suns Head Athletic Trainer Aaron Nelson received a contract extension.

D’Antoni, the 2004-05 NBA Coach of the Year, engineered the third-largest turnaround in NBA history last season, and directed the Suns to a club record-tying 62 wins, a remarkable 33-game improvement over the 2003-04 season. D’Antoni, the 12th head coach in club history, is only the second coach in team history to be honored as NBA Coach of the Year (Cotton Fitzsimmons, 1988-89). D’Antoni signed a two-year contract extension to remain as head coach of the Suns through the 2008-09 season.

“We are very pleased that Mike D'Antoni has agreed to this extension and it reflects the terrific job he has done with the Phoenix Suns,” Suns President and General Manager Bryan Colangelo said. “He is very deserving of all the success that has come his way including last year's Coach of the Year honor.”

West, who has served as the club’s assistant general manager since 2001, will continue in the same role, but he will take on more specific player development initiatives. His new title is assistant general manager, player development, and he will serve as the team liaison for the NBA Player Development program administered by the league. A former Suns player from 1988-94 and 1999-00, West played 543 regular season and 69 playoff games for Phoenix.

“Mark has done a terrific job assisting players with both basketball and non-basketball issues,” Colangelo said. “His approach with athletes and experience as a player allow Mark to implement the critical player development initiatives the league and its teams have made a priority.”

Griffin enters his 12th season with the Suns organization and has steadily worked his way up the organizational ladder after starting out as a basketball communications intern in 1993. In August 2004, he was elevated to director of player personnel after serving as assistant director of player personnel the previous three seasons aiding Colangelo and Senior Executive Vice President Dick Van Arsdale with professional player matters. His duties include player evaluation for the draft, free agency and other player transactions.

“Dave is a tireless worker and he has been very instrumental in the overall success of the basketball operations area,” Colangelo said. “He has worked at nearly every level of the organization and he continues to grow professionally and contribute every step along the way.”

Nelson, only the second head athletic trainer in club history after replacing Suns Ring of Honor member Joe Proski in 2000, is entering his 13th season with the organization and his sixth as head athletic trainer. He is responsible for the prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of players and assists in the travel operation of the team. Nelson’s four-year extension will run through the 2009-10 season.

“Aaron and his staff have done an unbelievable job of keeping our team healthy and ready to play,” Colangelo said.