Just 10 days after firing their former head coach, Craig Smith, the Utah Utes have found their next head coach in Dallas Mavericks assistant Alex Jensen.
Jensen, who is a former professional basketball player himself, played overseas for just about his entire career. Most famously playing for Spain, Japan, and Turkey. While he was in Turkey, Jensen was named All-FIBA Europe Cup Defender of the Year in 2004.
Jensen began his coaching career for Saint Louis back in 2007. He worked his way up to the NBA, where he was an assistant coach for the Utah Jazz from 2013 to 2023 and, most recently, was an assistant for the Dallas Mavericks from 2023 to 2025.
What Does the Alex Jensen Hire Mean for Utah?
Jensen makes his return to Utah after he played on Utah’s 1998 Final Four team. Jensen played for legendary Utah head coach Rick Majerus. While playing under Majerus, Jensen and the legendary 1997-98 Runnin’ Utes team made it all the way to the National Title game against Kentucky.
Before hiring Smith, Jensen was in the running to be named the Utah Men’s Basketball head coach. However, he wasn’t chosen at the time, as Utah went in the direction of Smith. Now, only four years later, Jensen gets his chance to coach the team he once played a pivotal role for.
Runnin’ Utes welcome 𝘼𝙡𝙚𝙭 𝙅𝙚𝙣𝙨𝙚𝙣 back home as head coach.
READ MORE ➡️ https://t.co/NQsm3NNKiL#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/E1VENAnUTi
— Utah Basketball (@UtahMBB) March 6, 2025
In his time at Utah, Jensen played a big role on the team, as one of the team’s big forwards. Jensen averaged .532 shooting the ball, making more than half of his shots taken. He also picked up a total of 1,279 points, 896 rebounds, and 348 assists.
With this hire, Utah hopes to follow in the footsteps of its rival, BYU. One year ago, BYU brought in Kevin Young, who most recently was on the Phoenix Suns coaching staff. BYU is currently 22-8, and Utah is hoping to have similar luck plucking another NBA assistant coach.
Jensen’s former Utah teammate, Andre Miller, is in the running to join his coaching staff with Utah.
While it’s safe to say Utah has always been a rather good basketball college, it’s been a long time since they have been to the final four, and they are hoping a new coaching staff fixes that.
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The last time Jensen was with Utah, they were in the national championship game. Utah hasn’t made the Sweet 16 since 2015. Now, as a coach, they’re hoping he picks up right where he left off and leads the Utes back to a national title.
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