Alex Jensen, welcome home.
That was the overriding sentiment from social media when multiple national reports broke Thursday morning that the former Utah basketball star will be coming back to Salt Lake City to be head coach of the Runnin’ Utes.
Jensen, who played under Hall of Fame coach Rick Majerus and helped Utah reach the 1998 national championship game, has spent the past 12 years as an NBA assistant coach, including 10 with the Utah Jazz.
Social media lit up Thursday morning about the news. Here’s a look at some of the most notable reactions.
Excited for Alex and Natalie to be back in Utah. They are amazing people who give everything they have to the organization. Great hire for Utah. https://t.co/EuuwQ5oigM
— Ryan Smith (@RyanQualtrics) March 6, 2025
Utah made a tremendous hire in Al Jensen. Al was a great player at Utah and reached the national championship game with Coach Rick Majerus. After playing professional ball overseas, he joined Coach Majerus's staff at Saint Louis in a full-time graduate assistant position.… pic.twitter.com/ayceOc2cZY
— Paul Biancardi (@PaulBiancardi) March 6, 2025
Alex Jensen as the new @UtahMBB has me HYPED pic.twitter.com/QFYcX6lro0
— Holly Rowe (@sportsiren) March 6, 2025
This is very, VERY good news for the U! Alex and his family are incredible people and he is an excellent coach. Not just the best person for the job, but the only person I could have hoped for. Welcome home! https://t.co/sIT00MYe80
— Spencer Cox (@SpencerJCox) March 6, 2025
Loved competing against Alex when he played for Coach Majerus & @UtahMBB. The Beehive State rivalry just got spicy. @Big12Conference https://t.co/w9ilGZzAwE
— Fran Fraschilla (@franfraschilla) March 6, 2025
Alex Jensen leaving the Dallas Mavericks for his alma mater, sources confirmed to CBS Sports. First by @jeffborzello and @PeteThamel. The last time Utah was really good, Jensen was in uniform. Can he do for Utah what Kevin Young's doing for BYU right now?https://t.co/eUiQ5xUYNp
— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) March 6, 2025
And there it is folks. Let the reversal of fortune begin for @UtahMBB finally. Let’s get back to the winning ways. https://t.co/J7ysE7BXYc
— WrigleyvilleUte (@jhallito) March 6, 2025
Alex Jensen returning to Utah to take over the Utes just made too much sense.
— Scott Garrard (@ScottyGZone) March 6, 2025
Good to see Utah’s administration not try to get cute and make this harder than it needed to be. Identified their guy quickly and went all in.
Utah following BYU in hiring an NBA assistant: https://t.co/F0yjzypt2B
— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) March 6, 2025
I want a basketball team that
— D.B. (@DB_cUTEpper) March 6, 2025
1. Plays good, tough, defense.
2. Shoot above average from the charity stripe
3. has strong PG play..
I believe Alex Jensen can develop us a team with this identity! Lets ride! #GoUtes #RunninUtes
I'm excited for college basketball in the state of Utah. I want the games to mean something. I'd love the conference regular season title coming down to the utah/byu game every year. This state has a rich history. Make it great again! #GoUtes
— D.B. (@DB_cUTEpper) March 6, 2025
AJ it is time to flip to Utah. Alex Jensen is a better coach and will pay you more. We will even let you keep your piercings! Go Utes. #BYU #Utah pic.twitter.com/TSxtPHJPtU
— Full Share Ute🌹 (@CosmoSoake81435) March 6, 2025
Utah now has the best basketball Head Coach in the state 🔥🔥🔥🔥 https://t.co/NDlsmfqegu
— DampierSZN (@DampierSZN) March 6, 2025
I’m a HUGE believer in AJ. From a development standpoint, I watched him take some gangly kid from France and help him develop into a 4x DPOY. Don’t know another coach in the conference can say that. Great day to be a Ute!!!
— Father Stu (@StuFather) March 6, 2025
Imagine if BYU and Utah both have multiple NBA talents on their roster. This state would be buzzing. https://t.co/KQeQ5fnxMa
— BYU4Trey (@playoffbogey) March 6, 2025
Runnin’ Utes are coming back! Tournament team by year 2.
— Nate (@BigNateTwelve) March 6, 2025
Utah basketball is… back? https://t.co/Ml5FpsmFBQ pic.twitter.com/UWwHtBDz2g
— Andrew Crane (@craneandrew_) March 6, 2025
Yeesssssss!!!!!!!!! We back baby. https://t.co/Nnw7XOivbv pic.twitter.com/7yssCbznoU
— Courtney (@jazzmomm) March 6, 2025