Monty Williams will not return to the Oklahoma City Thunder this season as the assistant coach continues to deal with the tragic death of his wife.
It was a moment that many people dread having to deal with: the death of a spouse. Oklahoma City Thunder assistant coach Monty Williams is coping with life after the tragic death of his wife, Ingrid, who was killed in a car accident last month when another driver hit her while she was driving home.
Since then, Williams has shown strength in the public eye, delivering an emotional eulogy for his wife and the mother of his five kids where he gave forgiveness and asked for prayer for the family of the other driver as well as his own family, something that not many people would be willing to do:
With just over a month to go left in the 2015-16 season, Monty Williams is making the decision to step away from the basketball court for a while and focusing on his family. The team’s General Manager and head coach Billy Donovan released statements expressing support for Williams and his decision, while letting it be known that he will be welcomed back whenever he is ready:
Williams came to the Thunder after spending the last five seasons as the head coach of the New Orleans Pelicans, being let go after making the playoffs following the 2014-15 season (one of two times he led the team into the postseason). Williams spent eight years as a player in the NBA, including stops with both the San Antonio Spurs and the New York Knicks among others.
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