SALT LAKE CITY — After 18 seasons with the Utah Jazz, Mark McKown has been promoted to director of sports science/assistant coach. Along with McKown’s promotion, the Jazz promoted Isaiah Wright as the head strength-and-conditioning coach.
McKown joined the Jazz as the team’s first full-time strength-and-conditioning coach in 1997. Before his move West, McKown was the assistant athletic director and director of sports performance at the College of Charleston. While at Charleston, McKown worked with the New York Knicks during their preseason camps for five years.
For nearly two decades, the South Carolina native has assisted the Jazz in becoming one of the league’s most progressive franchises in the implementation of applied sports, according to a Utah Jazz news release. McKown received his bachelor’s degree in political science and physical education from the University of South Carolina Upstate before earning a master’s degree in sports science for the United States Sports Academy.
Salt Lake City native Wright was promoted from assistant to head strength-and-conditioning coach after three seasons with the team’s strength-and-conditioning staff. Previously, Wright spent seven years working with the Utah Jazz equipment staff. Wright earned his bachelor’s degree in exercise and sports science from the University of Utah.