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3 candidates to replace Quin Snyder as Utah Jazz head coach

By Holden Walter-Warner

Oct 11, 2021; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz head coach Quin Snyder instructs his team from during the second half against the New Orleans Pelicans at Vivint Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 11, 2021; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz head coach Quin Snyder instructs his team from during the second half against the New Orleans Pelicans at Vivint Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports /
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Qui Snyder, Utah Jazz
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – DECEMBER 31: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz talks with coach Alex Jensen as they review film during warmup before their game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Vivint Smart Home Arena December 31, 2021 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.(Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images) /

3 candidates to replace Quin Snyder as Utah Jazz head coach: 3. Alex Jensen

There’s some logic going internal for the Jazz. Alex Jensen was Quin Snyder’s top assistant and could follow the successful blueprint his old boss laid out in Salt Lake City.

He is known as a player development guy and it’s hard to argue with some of the players who have come up through the Jazz system in recent years, particularly Mitchell and Gobert. There may not be many young stars on the roster, but Jensen could help develop the next one.

Jensen has extensive ties with the area, as he’s been the assistant coach with the Jazz for almost a decade, joining the franchise in 2013. He also grew up in Utah and played his college ball for Rick Majerus at Utah, helping take the Utes to the 1998 national championship game.

There is an argument to be made that Jensen might be more of the same and not enough of a new voice, but he already has a sense of how to get the most out of Utah’s talent. It’s not like the franchise is going to roll out a completely different team next season. Many of last year’s players will be back for another round.

Jensen didn’t get as much of a push this offseason as expected, but perhaps that’s related to the stale vibes surrounding Utah’s current core. That could either work to his benefit or against him if he were to get the Utah Jazz job.

If the Jazz aren’t looking to make wholesale changes for next season, Jensen could be their guy, before a rising star in the coaching ranks goes elsewhere.

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