Quin Snyder Discusses Letting Jazz Players Know He Was Leaving Team

SALT LAKE CITY – Former head coach Quin Snyder discussed his decision to leave the Utah Jazz and how he let his players know of the move.

Snyder, along with Jazz owner Ryan Smith and CEO Danny Ainge, held a press conference on Monday, June 6.

A day earlier, the Jazz announced that Snyder had decided to part ways with the organization after spending the last eight years as Utah’s head coach.

During his final press conference with the franchise, Snyder talked about his resolution to step down as head coach and how he let his players know of the decision.

“It’s just time. I tried to give voice to that [in my statement], and it really isn’t any more complicated than that,” the former Jazz head coach said. “I got to a place where it was time.”

"I couldn't be more grateful for my time here."

Quin Snyder speaks on the gratitude he has as he steps down as Jazz Head Coach. pic.twitter.com/OBFNB4FJ1o

— CBS Sports HQ (@CBSSportsHQ) June 6, 2022

Snyder said he reached the conclusion on Saturday, June 4. The next day, the Jazz formally announced the news.

“It’s something I labored over and you never have complete clarity on something like this. Saturday night after thinking about it for a significant period of time, over the course of weeks, felt like it was time,” Snyder stated.

The ex-head coach talked about how the conversations went with his players as he told them of the decision. Snyder called the conversations “brief” and “positive.”

"It was just time."

Quin Snyder on the overall reason for stepping down as Jazz Head Coach. pic.twitter.com/Nrzs4J0TiN

— CBS Sports HQ (@CBSSportsHQ) June 6, 2022

“They were all willing to buy in and sacrifice for something that was bigger than them,” the coach said of his players and staff.

Snyder highlighted his excitement to spend time with his family and added that he didn’t know what he plans to do a year from now.

Danny Ainge on Quin Snyder:

"I feel like we have a good relationship that can go on well past this job and this opportunity. I know that he's going to be coaching somewhere else in the near future, next year, probably."#takenote | @kslsports

— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) June 6, 2022

The Jazz have only had three head coaches since 1988.

Team owner Ryan Smith said that the organization doesn’t have a timeline and won’t rush the decision on who to hire as the team’s next head coach.

"We're going to take our time. Gotta get it right." – @RyanQualtrics on finding the next head coach of the @utahjazz #TakeNote

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) June 6, 2022

“We’re going to take our time. Gotta get it right,” Smith said.

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