Updated: September 24, 2026
Mike Budenholzer has long been known as one of the NBA’s steadiest, most thoughtful coaches. From his years under Gregg Popovich with the San Antonio Spurs to titles and Coach of the Year honors with the Atlanta Hawks and Milwaukee Bucks, and his time leading the Phoenix Suns, “Coach Bud” has built a reputation for calm leadership. Behind that professional success sits a clear priority: his four children.
He and his former wife, Mary Beth (also referred to as Mary Bet or Mary Ellen Barth), raised two sons and two daughters. After their divorce, Budenholzer has spoken openly about how much those relationships mean to him—especially during the year he stepped away from coaching to focus on family, health, and simply showing up for his kids’ milestones.
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Who Are Mike Budenholzer Children?
Mike Budenholzer has four children: William Vincent, Savoia Elizabeth (known as Libby), Hanna Louise, and John Bent. The family moved several times as his coaching career took him from San Antonio to Atlanta, Milwaukee, and later Phoenix. Despite the constant travel and pressure of NBA seasons, Budenholzer has repeatedly described time with his kids as “a gift.”
Here’s a quick overview of the family:
| Child | Full Name | Approximate Birth Year | Notable Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oldest Son | William Vincent Budenholzer | 1998 | Texas A&M graduate; works in commercial real estate |
| Older Daughter | Savoia Elizabeth “Libby” Budenholzer | ~2000 | University of San Diego student; Kappa Delta member |
| Younger Daughter | Hanna Louise Budenholzer | April 5, 2002 | UC Santa Barbara student |
| Youngest Son | John Bent Budenholzer | ~2006 | Graduated Alamo Heights High School in 2024; played basketball |
A Closer Look at Each Child
William Vincent, the oldest, attended Texas A&M University and graduated around 2022. He has pursued a career outside basketball, working as a market research analyst in commercial real estate. Public details about him remain relatively private, which seems consistent with the family’s low-key approach.
Savoia Elizabeth “Libby” carries the same first name as her paternal grandmother. She studied at the University of San Diego, where she has been involved with the Kappa Delta sorority. Earlier she attended schools in San Antonio and Atlanta during her father’s coaching stops. Libby has occasionally shared moments celebrating her dad’s achievements on social media.
Hanna Louise, born in 2002, graduated from Alamo Heights High School in San Antonio in 2021 and later enrolled at the University of California, Santa Barbara. She has kept a lower public profile than some of her siblings while focusing on her studies.
John Bent, the youngest, graduated from Alamo Heights High School in 2024. He played on the basketball team, and Budenholzer made a point of attending his games during the year he took off from coaching. The coach described those drives home after watching his son play as moments of pure gratitude.
Family Life and Priorities
Budenholzer grew up as the youngest of seven children in Holbrook, Arizona, in a household shaped by his father Vince’s coaching career and his mother Libby’s community leadership. That large, close family background clearly influenced how he approaches fatherhood. During his 2023–24 break from the sidelines, he prioritized time with his kids amid graduations and everyday life. At his Phoenix Suns introductory press conference in 2024, he became emotional thanking his children and partner Lisa, calling the family time “amazing.”
The children have largely stayed out of the spotlight, which appears intentional. While John showed interest in basketball at the high-school level, the older siblings have followed their own paths in academics and professional fields.
Balancing Coaching and Fatherhood
NBA coaching is an all-consuming job—long hours, travel, and intense pressure. Budenholzer has spoken about the challenge and the reward of still making room for family. He has noted that watching his youngest son’s high-school games reminded him what truly matters. That perspective helped him return to coaching refreshed after his sabbatical.
His approach offers a quiet lesson many high-achieving parents can appreciate: success on the court (or in any demanding career) means more when it sits alongside real presence at home. The Budenholzer kids have grown up with a father who values both excellence and connection.
Conclusion
Mike Budenholzer’s four children—William, Libby, Hanna, and John—represent the personal foundation behind one of the NBA’s most respected coaches. From college campuses to high-school basketball courts, they have pursued their own interests while their father balanced championships, coaching awards, and the realities of professional sports. His public comments continue to underscore a simple truth: the real victories often happen off the court, in the everyday moments with family.
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In a league full of larger-than-life personalities, Budenholzer’s steady focus on his kids remains one of the more grounded and admirable parts of his story.