The Utah Jazz have now entered the head coaching cycle. Quin Snyder decided to step down after eight seasons on the job. The Jazz now need to upgrade their roster and find a new coach.
It will be tough to map out the ideal coach since the Jazz could undergo some big roster changes this offseason. Opposing teams are looking into Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert, though Utah may not have the desire to break up their star duo just yet. Regardless, they need to find a new coach that can help them unlock the talent they have.
Experienced coaches like Kenny Atkinson, Terry Stotts, Frank Vogel and Mike D'Antoni remain up for grabs. The Jazz could also look for someone younger in the hopes of finding a hidden gem. No matter the background of the coach, they have to find someone who is willing to work in a state of uncertainty and possibly deal with a massive roster change, if not several.
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5 best coaches for Jazz after Quin Snyder steps down
5. Terry Stotts
Shams Charania of The Athletic reported five initial candidates for the Jazz as they begin their coach search. One of those names is Terry Stotts, the former head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers.
Stotts would be a solid addition for the Jazz. His focus on offense will be helpful for the Jazz, who have to lean harder on that side of the ball in order to show more success in the playoffs. Leaning into offense may be the way to go.
The Trail Blazers posted a top-10 offense under Stott six times in nine years, many of which were top five. Utah, who had the most efficient offense in the regular season, would be able to retain their identity as one of the very best offenses in the NBA.
4. Will Hardy
Although the idea of bringing in a rookie head coach for a playoff-hardened team seems risky, it won't matter if the candidate knows what he's doing. Ime Udoka and just showed this with the Boston Celtics. Will Hardy, another one of the candidates named by Charania, is the right guy to bet on.
Hardy has learned under Gregg Popovich and the San Antonio Spurs for a decade, including as an assistant coach for five years, before following Udoka to Boston. He has interviewed for head coaching vacancies in the past.
The 34-year-old Hardy learned first-hand from Popovich how to get players in line and play together. The Jazz already have experience playing together as a unit under Snyder. Now, they could snag him before the Spurs try to make him the successor to Popovich.
3. Kevin Young
Kevin Young is another young coach (just 40 years old) who hasn't been a head coach in the NBA. As Monty Williams' right-hand man with the Phoenix Suns, he has soaked up plenty of knowledge and understanding of how to run an NBA team.
Young has nine years of experience as a head coach in the G League and four years as an assistant coach for the Philadelphia 76ers before becoming the Suns' associate head coach. His experience in the G League could help him unlock the talents of youngsters like Jared Butler, Trent Forrest and Udoka Azubuike, among others.
Most importantly, Young has seen for himself how a team with so much talent can thrive (making the 2021 NBA Finals) and fail (losing in the second round to an underdog team). His experience should make him a strong candidate and someone who players will follow.
2. Frank Vogel
Frank Vogel's failures with the Los Angeles Lakers last season do him no favors, even though he should not take much of the blame. However, he is a coach who specializes in defense, which Utah has to get better in.
The Jazz got exposed for their defensive weaknesses in the last two NBA playoffs. Vogel developed a defensive identity for the Lakers' championship team and with the Paul George/Roy Hibbert era Indiana Pacers. He could be just the right guy to help unlock the roster's ability to defend. Having Gobert will also be a massive help.
The Jazz could hire an offensive-minded assistant coach for Vogel, who is one of the very few candidates available with championship experience.
1. Mike D'Antoni
The Jazz could turn to Mike D'Antoni because he has the most experience with most teams. The coach of the “Seven Seconds or Less” Suns and 3-point launching Houston Rockets has shown his ability to win in different eras with different personnel.
Utah's roster is built for D'Antoni. They feature a ton of scorers and shooters around Mitchell with a rim runner in the middle. This makeup is eerily similar to that of D'Antoni's Rockets, though the Jazz only have one All-Star guard. Still, D'Antoni could implement his principles as Utah seeks roster upgrades.
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