Suns make Alvin Gentry head coach

PHOENIX, May 9 (UPI) -- Alvin Gentry has reached a three-year agreement to become the head coach of the NBA's Phoenix Suns, the team said Saturday.

Gentry had been named interim head coach after Terry Porter was fired at the All-Star break. He was the lone holdover from the staff of former Suns Coach Mike D'Antoni, who coaches the New York Knicks.

Saturday's transaction is expected to become official Monday.

Under Gentry's guidance, the Suns went 18-13 in the season's second half but missed the playoffs for the first time since 2003.

"We're very excited," Suns President and General Manager Steve Kerr said. "Alvin did a great job with our team at the end of the year, and I felt really strongly about maintaining some continuity going into next season. Our players felt the same way, so everybody is happy that he'll be coming back."

The defensive-minded Porter was fired after the Suns went 28-23 leading up to the All-Star Game, which was played in Phoenix Feb. 16.

Gentry coached the Los Angeles Clippers from 2000 to 2003.