Suns name Hunter interim head coach

PHOENIX, Jan. 20 (UPI) -- Lindsey Hunter has been tapped as the interim head coach for the Phoenix Suns, the team announced Sunday.

Hunter takes over behind the bench for Alvin Gentry, who was fired Friday after the Suns struggled to a 13-28 record to start the season.

Phoenix has failed to the make playoffs in each of the past two seasons.

Hunter, who logged a 17-year playing career with Detroit, Milwaukee, the Los Angeles Lakers, Toronto and Chicago, had been serving as the Suns' player development coordinator since last year.