Former Jazzman Jarron Collins Could Be Future NBA Head Coach

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Could former Utah Jazz center Jarron Collins be a future NBA head coach? According to ESPN’s Kevin Arnovitz, Collins could lead a team in the right situation. Collins made the list, along with several former players, coaches, and current assistant coaches.

Collins has been an assistant coach with the Golden State Warriors since 2014. Head coach Steve Kerr hired Collins after the former Jazzman served as a scout for the Los Angeles Clippers in 2013. Collins has been a part of five Finals runs and three championships with the Warriors.

“A former NBA player and an essential part of the Warriors’ championship staff, Jarron Collins has experience working with superstars,” Arnovitz wrote. “Devising high-stakes strategy and navigating the precarious contours of team culture at the highest level.”

Annual must-read from @kevinarnovitz on coaching candidates generating the most buzz around the NBA. This year's edition includes Ty Lue, Charles Lee, Chris Finch, Jamahl Mosley and yes, Thibs https://t.co/bUeAe8t1Rb

— Glenn Yoder (@glennyoder) June 9, 2020

Collins Time In Utah

Collins was drafted by the Jazz with the 53rd overall pick in the 2001 NBA draft. The center quickly earned the respect of head coach Jerry Sloan and started 68 of the 70 games he appeared in as a rookie.

Collins recorded career highs in scoring, rebounding, and blocked shots during his debut NBA season. The center spent four seasons at Stanford with his twin brother Jason. Jason was a first-round pick by the Houston Rockets in the same season.

.@Warriors assistant coach (now 3x NBA champ) Jarron Collins back when he played for the 🌲.#BackThePac pic.twitter.com/Aa3754ZYDe

— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) June 9, 2018

The former Cardinal spent eight seasons with the Jazz and appeared in 480 regular-season games. Collins had a brief stint with the Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Clippers, and Portland Trailblazers before retiring in 2011.

Jazz Players Before Collins As NBA Head Coaches

Collins is far from the only Sloan protege to be considered for a job as an NBA head coach. Similarly, several former Jazz players have climbed through the coaching ranks.

To date, eight former players under Sloan have been named head coaches in the NBA.

Jerry Sloan's coaching tree has deep roots and expanding branches. 🌳 #TakeNote #NBATwitter #JerrySloan https://t.co/4Lv6h64zmQ

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) May 22, 2020

Marc Iavaroni (Memphis), Larry Krystkowiak (Milwaukee), Jeff Hornacek (Phoenix, New York), Jacque Vaughn (Orlando, Brooklyn current), Mark Jackson (Golden State), Tyrone Corbin (Utah, Sacramento), Derek Fisher, (New York, Los Angeles WNBA,) and Earl Watson (Phoenix) have all served as head coaches for professional franchises.

Collins interviewed for the vacant Memphis Grizzlies head coaching position in 2019.