SALT LAKE CITY — Alex Jensen’s recent appointment as the head coach of the University of Utah’s men’s basketball team signals a reconnection with the successful past that the Utes are eager to leverage while reconstructing their program. This move comes at a pivotal time as Utah aims to assert its competitiveness within the Big 12 Conference.
Jensen, who was officially introduced on Monday, returns to his alma mater after spending an extensive period of 12 seasons working as an assistant coach in the NBA. His history with the Utes includes playing for the team from 1994-95 and then again from 1997-2000 after completing a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Mark Harlan, Utah’s athletic director, expressed the anticipation shared by many: “I’ve had some donors call me and they’re very excited,” he shared, “They remember Alex and they’re really excited about him. I get it.” Bringing Jensen back became a priority for Harlan after a brief search for Craig Smith’s successor. Jensen nearly secured the position four years ago before Smith transitioned from Utah State. However, Jensen quickly emerged as the leading candidate when Smith was dismissed late last February.
While Jensen will continue his current role as an assistant with the Dallas Mavericks under Jason Kidd until their season wraps, he is already preparing for his new role at Utah. “I knew it would be difficult, but I felt like I needed to finish the season in Dallas,” Jensen remarked. The decision to conclude the season with the Mavericks challenges his ability to start assembling his staff but underscores his commitment to responsibilities.
Jensen’s deep-rooted connection to Utah’s basketball legacy is significant. He was instrumental in helping the Utes reach the 1998 NCAA Tournament’s championship game as a starter. During his four collegiate seasons, Jensen accumulated 1,279 points and 896 rebounds, securing first-team All-MWC honors during his senior year while averaging 13.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game.
This new coaching role marks Jensen’s return to college-level coaching after previously serving as an assistant under Rick Majerus at Saint Louis from 2007-11. “The line I always say with Coach Majerus – and we joke about it – is he kind of ruins the game for you because you learn it’s hard to watch a game without picking it apart,” Jensen explained, emphasizing Majerus’ long-lasting impact on his coaching philosophy.
Jensen’s substantial NBA experience stood out as a decisive factor for Utah following a challenging initial season in the Big 12. Over a decade with the Utah Jazz, Jensen was pivotal as Quin Snyder’s lead assistant and later joined the Mavericks in 2023. Jensen’s expertise in player development is widely recognized, akin to BYU’s Kevin Young’s path, marking another parallel in Utah’s strategy.
Evidencing his player development capabilities, Jensen played a crucial role in Rudy Gobert’s ascendancy from a backup center to an NBA All-Star and top-tier defender during their time together at the Jazz. This experience offers insights on building a strong college program. Reflecting on his approach, Jensen commented, “The college game, I think, is becoming more and more professional, but I think most players are the same. They want to know if you care and if you know what you’re talking about.”
Restoring Utah’s presence in the NCAA Tournament remains one of Jensen’s foremost goals, as the program hasn’t competed in it since the 2015-16 season and only reached the NIT once during Smith’s tenure. As Jensen embarks on this new journey at Utah, he endeavors to utilize his extensive insights and experiences from the NBA to reinvigorate the team and lead them toward their aspirational objectives.
