Will Hardy and the Utah Jazz have agreed to a five-year deal making Hardy the crew’s new head coach.
At 34, Hardy turns into the youngest head coach within the league, taking on a Jazz crew that went 49-33 and clinched the Northwest Division final season earlier than losing to the Dallas Mavericks within the first spherical of the playoffs.
“The Utah Jazz are some of the revered and profitable franchises within the NBA and the fan base right here is famous. This chance comes with large duty. I’m grateful for the belief the Jazz have positioned in me and I sit up for the work forward,” said Hardy.
Welcome to Utah, Coach Hardy 🖤#TakeNote pic.twitter.com/36Aqymve7r
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) June 29, 2022
The Jazz performed an intensive search that included interviews with 15 candidates for the place.
Fellow Celtics assistant Joe Mazzulla, Raptors assistant Adrian Griffin, and Jazz assistant Alex Jensen had been all finalists, in response to ESPN sources.
Hardy began off his NBA profession because the video coordinator for the San Antonio Spurs earlier than being promoted to assistant coach below Gregg Popovich.
He spent final season below Boston coach Ime Udoka by which the Celtics made a stunning run to the NBA Finals, ultimately losing to the Golden State.
Pop and others had been fast to congratulate Hardy.
“I couldn’t be happier that Will has been given the chance to steer one of many best packages within the league within the Utah Jazz. His intelligence, means to show, and most significantly his method, brings fast respect from gamers, administration, and workers. He’s a aggressive younger man who understands the tasks of the place and nobody will work more durable to proceed the success the Jazz have loved for thus lengthy, ” mentioned Popovich.
“Will has an ideal basketball thoughts,” mentioned Udoka. “He was an integral a part of what we completed and can do nice issues in Utah.”
Hardy replaces Quin Synder, who led the crew for the previous eight seasons.
