Monty Williams recently made headlines after signing a contract with the Detroit Pistons. Williams is now the head coach of the young Detroit Pistons team, after being laid off by the Phoenix Suns organization, due to their disappointing second-round exit in the 2023 playoffs. Williams has been hailed as one of the best coaches in the league, even winning the prestigious Coach of the Year award in 2021.
Willams signed the biggest contract in NBA history, signing a 6-year $78.5 million deal giving him an annual salary of $13,083,333 according to Spotrac. Williams has a tall task on his hands, considering that he is used to a team with much more talent on its roster than his current Pistons team. Still, the Pistons’ front office must be elated to have a coach of Williams’ caliber leading their future juggernaut.
Monty Williams’ first wife passed away in a car crash
In a genuinely sorrowful and unfortunate turn of events, Monty Williams’ first wife, Ingrid Williams died in a car crash in 2016. At the time, Williams was the head coach of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Ingrid was driving an SUV with three of her children. The opposite driver, Susan Donaldson was driving on the wrong side of the road and going at twice the speed limit.
Donaldson swerved to avoid a car in front of her, sending her car out of control and across the centerline where she collided with Williams’ car. Police later reported that Donaldson showed the effects of methamphetamine in her system. Donaldson also had her pet dog in her lap while driving. Both she and the dog were instantly killed upon impact along with Ingrid Williams.
All three of her children Faith, Janna, and Micah however survived with minimal injury. Many of Coach Williams’ players responded with support after the accident but it is a truly tragic occurrence.
Monty Williams’ wife Lisa Keeth was diagnosed with breast cancer
At Williams’ introductory conference as the new head coach of the Detroit Pistons, he revealed some inner ongoings that might have caused his concentration to waver from the 2023 playoffs. During the playoffs, Williams’ wife Lisa Keeth was diagnosed with stage I breast cancer. They were able to catch it early thankfully, which reduces the lethality of the disease.
Monty Williams’ wife was diagnosed with breast cancer during the playoffs.
He didn’t take the Pistons’ coaching position until after his family received positive news about her diagnosis thanks to early detection 🙏 pic.twitter.com/RJr6yHpVDl
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 13, 2023
Williams refused to think about his new job until his wife was given the clear by the doctors. He then proceeded to take up the Pistons opportunity not just because of the salary, but also because the Pistons franchise agreed to lend Williams private jet access as well as health care benefits for his wife, a truly noble gesture by the organization.
Fans across the league have come to Williams’ aide online and express their sorrows over the turn his personal life has taken over the past few years, “Man prayers up first wife dying in a car accident and now this just so unfortunate.”
Man prayers up first wife dying in a car accident and now this just so unfortunate 🙏
— Old NBA Tweets (@oldnbatweetz) June 13, 2023
I hope she beats it
— ✨Yoga Doll✨ (@yoga_doll) June 13, 2023
Sending prayers ❤️
— HBA (@HBAcrypto) June 14, 2023
He’s a great Coach, prayers to his wife and family. Can’t wait to see how he switches things around in Detroit
— Tkles de latalay (@Klesca) June 13, 2023
We truly hope and wish the best for Lisa Keeth as well as Williams’ fortunes for his new position. No matter what was said about the Suns’ playoff run, we think even the players would agree that family comes first.