Former Cyclone Hornacek returning to coach Suns

Jeff Hornacek is returning to the Phoenix Suns.

The former Iowa State standout and popular Suns player will be Phoenix's new head coach and agreed to terms of a three-year deal worth slightly less than $6 million on Sunday, according to CBSSports.com. The Suns will hold an option for a fourth year.

Contract details are expected to be finalized by Tuesday.

The Suns moved quickly to work out a deal with Hornacek after he met with the Charlotte Bobcats to discuss their head coaching vacancy.

The Philadelphia 76ers reportedly also expressed interest in hiring the 50-year-old Hornacek.

Phoenix selected Hornacek with the 46th pick in the 1986 draft. He spend the first six years of his 14-year career with the Suns. He enjoyed his finest year with Phoenix in his last season there, averaging 20.1 points per game and was named to the All-Star team.

The next season, he was part of a package that was traded to Philadelphia for Charles Barkley.

Hornacek had been with the Utah Jazz since 2007 and had been a full-time assistant since 2011.

The Suns went 25-57 this season, finishing with the fourth-worst record in the NBA and second-worst in franchise history behind a 16-66 effort in their inaugural season of 1968-69.

Interim coach Lindsey Hunter went 12-29 after taking over in January for Alvin Gentry, who was fired in his fourth season with the Suns.

Hornacek led the Cyclones to the Sweet 16 of the 1986 NCAA tournament.