Abdelrahman
Utah Basketball’s Coaching Changes: A Look Ahead to the 2024-25 Season
The University of Utah is set to experience significant changes in its coaching staff this year, even as the 2024-25 college basketball season is still in progress. On Monday, the university confirmed that Craig Smith has been relieved of his duties as head coach, following nearly four years at the helm of the Runnin’ Utes.
Unless the team stages an impressive run during the upcoming Big 12 tournament, this will mark the ninth consecutive season that Utah misses the NCAA tournament. Smith’s record stands at 65-62 over his tenure, with the Utes showing steady improvement in the first three seasons after his appointment as the successor to Larry Krystkowiak. Unfortunately, this year, the team is trending towards a finish slightly above .500 during their inaugural season in the Big 12.
While the Utes secured some notable victories, including a recent win against the prestigious Kansas and triumphs in their last two rivalry matchups against BYU, they struggled to deliver consistently in critical Quad 1 matchups, achieving a disappointing 3-9 record in those contests. With four regular-season games left, Utah managed only a 1-3 record against Quad 2 opponents. This inconsistency ultimately led to a change in leadership, with Josh Eilert, previously an assistant coach at West Virginia and in his first year at Utah, stepping in as interim coach for the remainder of the season.
Potential Candidates for the Utes’ Head Coach Position
With a new coaching vacancy on the horizon, several candidates are emerging as potential successors to Craig Smith.
Alex Jensen – Assistant Coach at Dallas Mavericks (NBA)
Why Jensen Could Be a Fit: Alex Jensen’s name has circulated in connection with Utah’s head coaching position before, particularly when Larry Krystkowiak was let go four years ago. Jensen, a former center for the Utes, has strong ties to the program and Utah’s basketball community. Having played for the respected Rick Majerus, he is familiar with the expectations for success at the university. With experience as an assistant coach, including a previous role with the Utah Jazz, Jensen has also been a G League head coach, where he was recognized as the G League Coach of the Year in 2013.
Andre Miller – Head Coach of Grand Rapids Gold (G League)
Why Miller Might Be Ideal for Utah: An iconic figure during Utah’s golden era in the late 1990s, Andre Miller was a pivotal part of the team that reached the national championship in 1998. His extensive experience as a 17-year NBA veteran and current G League head coach positions him well for a return to the program where he made a name for himself. His understanding of winning at Utah would resonate with fans eager for NCAA playoff appearances.
Johnnie Bryant – Associate Head Coach of Cleveland Cavaliers (NBA)
Why Bryant Stands Out: Johnnie Bryant, another former Ute, has built a strong coaching career over the last decade in the NBA. While he didn’t play under Majerus, his experience ties him closely to the program. Bryant is praised for his player development skills, evidenced by endorsements from players like former Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell. His rising trajectory in coaching could be the tonic Utah needs.
Richard Pitino – Head Coach of New Mexico Lobos
Why Pitino Could Be a Game Changer: With a previous stint at Minnesota and his current success at New Mexico, where he recently led the Lobos to an NCAA tournament appearance, Richard Pitino could be a compelling candidate. The son of legendary coach Rick Pitino, he has a proven record of securing talent and could bring a fresh perspective to the Utes.
Bryce Drew – Head Coach of Grand Canyon Lopes
Why Drew Is Worth Considering: Bryce Drew has led Grand Canyon to impressive results, reaching the NCAA tournament three times in four years. His previous experience at Vanderbilt shows he can handle the challenges of coaching at a higher-level program. Considering his background and familiarity with west coast basketball, he could be an excellent fit for Utah.
Additional Potential Candidates
Other notable names include Cody Fueger, an assistant coach at Kentucky with local ties, Chris Burgess, a BYU assistant who has gained respect in the area, and Porter Moser, the Oklahoma head coach who could also be a candidate if he becomes available following a challenging stretch at Oklahoma.
As the Utes prepare for a coaching transition, fans and analysts alike will be keeping a close eye on who will take the reins in this pivotal moment for Utah basketball.
