Alex Jensen, the former Utah Utes star who’s been a Utah Jazz assistant for nearly a decade, is widely seen as a strong candidate for the vacant University of Utah basketball coaching position.
Now, Stadium college basketball expert Jeff Goodman is reporting that Jensen will formally interview for the position with Utah athletic director Mark Harlan.
Utah Jazz assistant and former Utes standout Alex Jensen set to interview with AD Mark Harlan for the Utah head coach opening, source told @Stadium.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) March 22, 2021
Two other names in the mix: Utah State’s Craig Smith and Knicks assistant and ex-Ute Johnnie Bryant.
Goodman also reported that two others who have been widely discussed are “in the mix” for the Utah job — Utah State’s Craig Smith, a hot name in the coaching carousel, and former Utes and Jazz assistant Johnnie Bryant, who’s now with the New York Knicks.
Jensen joined the Jazz organization in 2013 as an assistant coach. The Viewmont High product played at Utah in the 1990s, and after a playing career overseas, he joined former Utes coach Rick Majerus as an assistant at Saint Louis for four years. He then coached the Canton Charge in the NBA D-League (now the G League), winning the league’s Coach of the Year award in 2013.
Goodman said multiple NBA personnel he talked with raved about Jensen’s potential as a college head coach. “Home run hire if he wants it,” one person told Goodman.
Spoken to multiple NBA people about Alex Jensen & they all rave about him and feel he would be successful as college head coach.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) March 22, 2021
“Will get guys to play the right way. Knows the recipe to win games. He played and coached with Majerus.”
Another: “Home run hire if he wants it.” https://t.co/rFBAZJo5bk