Jazz Exec Danny Ainge: We Wanted Quin Snyder To Stay

The Jazz and Quin Snyder have officially parted ways after eight seasons, but that doesn’t mean Snyder is done coaching forever.

“I feel like we have a good relationship that can go on beyond this,” Jazz basketball operations chief Danny Ainge said, via Eric Walden of the Salt Lake Tribune. “I know he’ll go on to coach again and be highly sought-after.”

Snyder, 55, stepped down as Jazz coach after eight fairly successful seasons. Per reports, he is expected to sit out next season before aiming to return to the coaching ranks.

“After eight seasons as coach, Snyder simply decided that it’s time to step away,” Adrian Woojnarowski of ESPN reported. “Conversations had been amicable with team, relationships still strong, but Snyder has decided to leave after building the Jazz into a perennial playoff contender.”

Ainge added that the Jazz were hopeful that Snyder would remain on as coach.

“We wanted him to stay,” he said, via Walden. “But I trust Quin knows much more what’s better for him and his family.”

nyder, 55, has coached the Jazz to a 372-264 record in his eight years, including a 49-33 record this year. They finished 52-20 in 2010-21 for the NBA’s best mark, but failed to reach the Western Conference finals.

Utah is the only NBA team in which Snyder has served as a head coach. He has been an assistant with the Hawks, Lakers, 76ers and Clippers, and has been a head coach at Missouri and in the G League.

“Snyder expressed no interest in discussing open jobs in the marketplace this offseason, sources said, but sitting out a season would certainly leave him as one of the most sought-after candidates in 2023 and beyond,” Wojnarowski and ESPN’s Tim MacMahon wrote.

The Jazz are aiming to continue to build around guard Donovan Mitchell, but are expected to be one of the most aggressive teams in shaking up the roster this offseason and make a serious move toward contention. Some have speculated that might mean moving center Rudy Gobert, should it mean a nice return.

Former Trail Blazers coach Terry Stotts is reportedly among the candidates to replace Snyder in Utah. We have the full early list at this post.