The Utah Jazz face some big decisons this offseason following the departure of head coach Quin Snyder after eight seasons at the helm.
After finishing with a 49-33 record and the fifth seed in the West, the Jazz were eliminated in the first round of the postseason by the Dallas Mavericks — the third-straight year of playoff disappointment.
MORE: Why did Quin Snyder step down as Jazz's coach?
With star Donovan Mitchell, reportedly "unsettled, unnerved and wondering" what head coach Quin Snyder stepping down means for the franchise's future, the Jazz could be looking to make. change with teams also looking to make a move for All-Star big man Rudy Gobert.
It's unclear what version of the Jazz will return next season, but the biggest domino is finding a head coach that can steer their future.
“I want a coach with integrity that is willing to work, that is willing to work together, that understands that it’s bigger than his program,” Ainge said in an interview with David Locke
“I want a coach that obviously knows what that means, how hard he has to work, that has a hunger and that is going to give all that he has to the franchise and to his players and develop the relationships that are critical.
"We've contacted some people as to who we want to interview for sure and we're still thinking about others. We're trying to figure out what net to cast."
MORE: Donovan Mitchell potential trade destinations
Several names have been linked with the head coaching position. Here's the latest on the search.
According to The Athletic's Shams Charania, the Jazz will consider a long list of names, including former Trail Blazers head coach Terry Stotts, Jazz assistant Alex Jensen, Celtics assistant Will Hardy and Raptors assistant Adrian Griffin.
Sources: Among initial candidates for Utah’s open head coaching job: Knicks assistant Johnnie Bryant, Jazz assistant Alex Jensen, former Trail Blazers coach Terry Stotts, Celtics assistant Will Hardy and Raptors assistant Adrian Griffin.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 5, 2022
Terry Stotts
Stotts finished a successful run with the Portland Trail Blazers, serving as their head coach between 2012-2021.
He led the Blazers to the playoffs in eight of his nine seasons at the helm and while the Blazers lost in the first round in four of his final five seasons in charge, he did lead them to the Western Conference Finals in 2019.
He's also previously been the head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks and Atlanta Hawks.
Alex Jensen
Coaching experience: Jensen has been a Jazz assistant since 2013. He was the G League coach of the year in 2013 before joining Utah's staff.
Jensen, a native of Bountiful who starred at the University of Utah, has been a candidate for multiple jobs throughout the league during his tenure in Utah. He's a well-respected assistant coach, who has been critical in Rudy Gobert's development into the game's top defensive big man.
Will Hardy
Hardy is one of the most respected assistant coaches in the league, currently part of Ime Udoka's staff on the Boston Celtics.
Another offspring of the Gregg Popovich coaching tree, Hardy previously worked as an assistant with the San Antonio Spurs for eight seasons, where he started as a video coordinator.
Adrian Griffin
Griffin has been an assistant with the Raptors since 2018 and was part of their 2019 championship win.
He has worked as an assistant since 2008 with stints with the Milwaukee Bucks, Chicago Bulls, Orlando Magic and Oklahoma City Thunder.
Griffin previously interviewed for the Jazz head coaching position in 2014.
Johnnie Bryant
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reports that the Jazz have received permission to interview Bryant for the role.
Bryant started his coaching career as a player development coach with the Jazz before becoming an assistant, closely working with Donovan Mitchell at the time.
He is currently the associate head coach with the New York Knicks, a role he has been in since departing the Jazz in 2020.
Jerome Allen
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowki reports that Allen, a current assistant coach with the Detroit Pistons will interview for the Jazz's vacant head coaching position.
The Utah Jazz received permission to interview Detroit Pistons assistant Jerome Allen for the franchise’s coaching job, sources tell ESPN. Jazz are beginning first-round of zoom interviews over next few days.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 10, 2022
Ainge is familiar with Allen, having previously served as an assistant with the Boston Celtics between 2015-21. Prior to that, he was the head coach of the University of Pennsylvania from 2009-15.
Jason Terry
The Athletic's Shams Charania reports that the Jazz have received permission to interview Jason terry, the head coach of the NBA G League Grand Rapids Gold.
The Utah Jazz have received permission to interview NBA G League Grand Rapids Gold coach Jason Terry for the franchise’s head coaching job, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Terry is also under consideration for assistant positions with other NBA teams.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 10, 2022
Charania notes that Terry is also being considered for several assistant coaching jobs with other NBA teams. Prior to coaching in the G League, the NBA champion, who played 19 seasons in the league has also worked as an assistant at the University of Arizona.
He spent one season playing for the Boston Celtics during Ainge's time with the franchise.
Chris Quinn
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reports that the Jazz will interview Miami Heat assistant Chris Quinn.
The Utah Jazz have requested permission to interview Miami Heat assistant Chris Quinn for franchise's head coaching job, sources tell ESPN. Quinn also talked with Charlotte for that opening. He has spent eight seasons on Erik Spoelstra's staff.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 8, 2022
Quinn has been part of Erik Spoelstra's staff since 2014
Other names in contention
Frank Vogel: Vogel parted ways with the Los Angeles Lakers this offseason and comes with plenty of head coaching experience, previously with the Indiana Pacers and Orlando Magic.
Lamar Skeeter: Skeeter is currently an assistant coach with the Jazz. The 33-year-old began with the franchise in 2014 in a player development/video role and served as the team's Summer League coach in 2019
Kevin Young: Young is currently an assistant with the Phoenix Suns, having previously worked as an assistant with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Charles Lee: Lee is currently an assistant coach with the Milwaukee Bucks, having previously worked with Mike Budenholzer at the Atlanta Hawks.
Joe Mazzulla: Mazulla is currently an assistant coach under Ime Udoka with the Boston Celtics and is close to Danny Ainge, having worked with him in his final two seasons in Boston.
Sean Sweeney: Sweeney, a defensive-minded coach, is currently an assistant coach with the Dallas Mavericks. He's previously worked with the Detroit Pistons, Milwaukee Bucks and Brooklyn Nets and was interviewed for the Charlotte Hornets head coaching job this offseason.
