Dell Demps appears to be forging a new path in his post-playing career, with recent reports stating that the 50-year-old has been hired by the Utah Jazz to take on a role as an assistant coach. This follows Demps' nine-year stint as the general manager of the New Orleans Hornets/Pelicans.
This report comes straight from the ever-reliable Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN:
Former New Orleans Pelicans general manager Dell Demps has agreed to join the Utah Jazz as an assistant coach, reuniting with Quin Snyder, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 25, 2020
Demps started his career as an executive with the Pelicans back in 2010. He parted ways with the team in February of 2019, with his most memorable moment of his tenure being the selection of Anthony Davis as the first overall pick in 2012. It is worth noting, though, that the Pelicans front office's decision to let go of Demps fell in the midst of the Davis trade talks back in 2019.
As Woj described above, Demps has worked with Jazz head coach Quin Snyder in the past, with the two crossing paths a few years back with the San Antonio Spurs. At that time, Snyder held the position of the head coach of San Antonio's NBA Developmental League team in the Austin Toros between 2007 to 2020. The pair has built a considerable professional and personal relationship, which undoubtedly had a significant impact in Utah's decision to bring Demps on board.
It is also worth noting that the Jazz also hired former player Keyon Dooling as a developmental coach. He too has some history with Snyder, playing under the coach at the University of Missouri from 1998 to 2000. Clearly, Snyder currently has a lot of sway with the team's coaching hires.
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