Cotton Fitzsimmons, director of player personnel for...

Cotton Fitzsimmons, director of player personnel for the Phoenix Suns, was hired as the team’s fourth coach in 15 months, and Paul Westphal was designated as his future successor.

Westphal, a star at USC who went on to become a National Basketball Assn. All-Star guard, was hired as an assistant coach. He has been coaching at Grand Canyon College in Phoenix. Club President Jerry Colangelo said that Fitzsimmons will coach until Westphal is ready to take over.