Whittingham, Sitake Discuss Quin Snyder Resignation
Jun 6, 2022, 4:47 PM | Updated: 4:57 pm
University of Utah head football coach Kyle Whittingham and BYU head football coach Kalani Sitake take part in a putting contest during a break in the game as the Utah Jazz and the Boston Celtics play an NBA basketball game at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020. Boston won 114-103. (Deseret News: Scott G Winterton)
(Deseret News: Scott G Winterton)
SALT LAKE CITY – Being a head coach in the state of Utah is a title reserved for a select few, so it’s no surprise the University of Utah’s Kyle Whittingham and BYU’s Kalani Sitake had thoughts on Quin Snyder stepping down from the Utah Jazz.
After all, the two coaches have been regular attendees at Jazz games during Snyder’s tenure.
KSL Sports caught up with Whittingham and Sitake at the Coaches for Charity Golf Tournament hosted by the National Kidney Foundation and discussed Snyder’s departure.
Coach Kyle Whittingham and Kalani Sitake commented on Quin Snyder's departure from the @utahjazz after attending the "Coaches for Charity Golf Tournament" hosted by the National Kidney Foundation. @Utah_Football @BYUfootball #takenote #goutes #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/v4W1BstHSc
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) June 6, 2022
“I’m just really thankful for what Quin has done for the franchise,” Sitake said. “It’s been a lot of fun watching them play and looking forward to the future, too.”
Sitake is a longtime Jazz fan and regularly attends games in his free time.
Despite Snyder leaving the team, Sitake said he has faith in the Jazz decision-making under fellow BYU legend Danny Ainge and team owner Ryan Smith.
“I love the Jazz,” Sitake said. “I believe in their leadership.”
Whittingham also extended his best wishes to Snyder and recognized how big of a loss he will be for the Jazz and the state.
“What a heck of a coach,” Whittingham said. “I respect everything he’s done here and we’re going to miss him.”
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Whittingham has been overseeing the Utes football program since 2005 and understands the toll head coaching can take on a person.
“There comes a time when you need a new voice and a new leader,” Whittingham said. “Obviously he felt that it was time for him right now and I’m getting kind of close to that in my career.”
Ultimately, though he shares a kinship with Snyder as a head coach in the state, Sitake offered a sentiment held by many Jazz fans after the announcement.
“I’m just really thankful for the things that Quin has done for that team,” Sitake said. “As a Jazz fan, I hope he knows that we all appreciate him.”
