UTAH JAZZ
Report: Jazz Holding Second Interviews With Coaching Candidates
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Jazz are setting up second interviews with candidates for their open head coaching position according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Most, if not all of the 15 candidates will get second interviews according to Charania as the search for the Jazz next head coach continues.
“Sources said the Jazz are scheduling second interview times with almost all of their 15 head coaching candidates as the next step in the process,” Charania wrote.
The Athletic’s report contradicts a report from Sportando writer Emiliana Carchia last Friday that indicated the Jazz had narrowed their search to four names.
“Alex Jensen, Adrian Griffin, Will Hardy and Johnnie Bryant are the final candidates for Jazz head coaching job, I am told,” Carchia tweeted.
Alex Jensen, Adrian Griffin, Will Hardy and Johnnie Bryant are the final candidates for Jazz head coaching job, I am told.
— Emiliano Carchia (@Carchia) June 17, 2022
In total, the Jazz have 15 candidates that have reportedly interviewed for the job which opened after Quin Snyder resigned from the position after eight seasons with the team.
At the press conference announcing Snyder’s resignation, Jazz CEO Danny Ainge indicated the franchise was going to take its time in its next search for a head coach.
“I’m in a position where I haven’t really been looking to the same extent for those coaches,” Ainge said. “There’s a lot of names I know I’m familiar with in the coaching world, but this will be much different than the two previous ones. Probably more thorough.”
The @utahjazz head coaching candidate tracker!
A running list of every name reportedly interviewing for the team's open head coaching position, plus their resumes. #TakeNote https://t.co/K8kvJLcGpR
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) June 8, 2022
Jazz owner Ryan Smith echoed Ainge’s sentiments at the press conference.
“We’re going to take our time,” Smith said. “Got to get it right.”
The Jazz are one of two open head coaching positions in the NBA along with the Charlotte Hornets. The Hornets had an agreement with Golden State Warriors assistant, Kenny Atkinson, to become the team’s next head coach, but Atkinson opted to back out of the deal over the weekend.
