The (AP) reports: The Phoenix Suns, who failed to make the NBA playoffs for the first time in 14 years, will bring back Frank Johnson as coach next season.

The team scheduled a Thursday news conference. The subject was not revealed, but sources within the organization, speaking on condition of anonymity, said it was to announce the rehiring of Johnson.

Johnson, 43, took over on Feb. 17 when Scott Skiles left the job by mutual agreement with the franchise. The Suns went 11-20 under Johnson but the team played with noticeably more enthusiasm.

"The chemistry got a lot better," the Suns' Dan Majerle said after the team's season-ending victory over Dallas Wednesday night.

Johnson wouldn't confirm his re-hiring Wednesday night, but he was all smiles and said he expected an announcement on his future "in the next day or two."