Quin Snyder ‘Consulting’ Lakers New Coaching Staff
Sep 30, 2022, 1:02 PM
(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Quin Snyder has been consulting new Los Angeles Lakers head coach Darvin Ham.
Snyder resigned from his position as the head coach of the Utah Jazz in June after eight seasons with the franchise and had been radio silent since his departure.
But earlier this week Ham revealed that Snyder had been offering his assistance in the weeks leading up to the Lakers season.
“I talk to Quin Snyder,” Ham said after day one of Lakers training camp. “He’s like my pro bono coaching consultant so he calls and checks in with me a couple of times a week.”
Ham mentioned several friends and colleagues in the business from whom he’s gotten advice, including former fellow Lakers assistant (and long time Jazz head coach) Quin Snyder, who he calls a few times a week and said is his: “Pro bono coaching consultant.”
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) September 27, 2022
Snyder was believed to be the Lakers top coaching target after firing Frank Vogel last season even though the Jazz coach was still under contract.
The Lakers turned their attention to Ham and named his the head coach just days before Snyder stepped away from the Jazz.
Snyder and Ham have a long history together dating back to their with the Austin Toros in 2008. Ham was nearing the end of his professional playing career while Snyder was serving as the head coach of the San Antonio Spurs G League affiliate.
After the 2008 season, Ham retired from playing basketball and entered the coaching ranks. coaches served on the Lakers bench as assistants during the 2011-12 season before Snyder left for an opportunity with CSKA Moscow.
Snyder’s Time With The Jazz
The team’s second-winningest coach, Snyder trails only Hall of Famer Jerry Sloan for career wins with the Jazz.
The former Duke point guard has a coaching record of 372-264 with three opening-round playoff series wins. The Jazz finished with the fifth seed in the Western Conference with a record of 49-33 this past season.
After entering the season with expectations of a deep playoff run, the Jazz were eliminated by the Dallas Mavericks in the opening round of the playoffs.
It's official, the @utahjazz and head coach Quin Snyder have decided to part ways.
See owner Ryan Smith's comments on Snyder's departure here. #TakeNote https://t.co/Wpcy0JlYee
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) June 5, 2022
“After eight years, I just feel it is time to move onward,” Snyder said in a release. “I needed to take time to detach after the season and make sure this was the right decision.”
In late June the Jazz announced that they had hired newcomer Will Hardy to replace Snyder as the team’s head coach.