Veteran NBA assistant coach Alex Jensen, currently with the Mavericks, has agreed to a contract to become the new men’s basketball head coach at the University of Utah, sources told ESPN’s Jeff Borzello and Pete Thamel on Thursday.
Jensen, 46, emerged as a leading candidate for the Utah vacancy in recent days, according to a report from CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein earlier this week. He will replace Craig Smith, who was dismissed last month after nearly four seasons leading the Utes.
A Utah native, Jensen starred for the Utes during his college career, earning Mountain West Conference Player of the Year honors in the 1999-2000 season. He was a key starter on the 1998 Utah team that reached the NCAA Tournament final, falling to Kentucky.
Jensen began his coaching career under the late Rick Majerus, his former head coach, at Saint Louis University. After four seasons with the Billikens, he moved to the NBA, spending a decade as an assistant with the Jazz before joining the Mavericks in 2023.
He also spent time with the Cavaliers and coached the then-Canton Charge of the G League. He was a regular candidate in Cleveland whenever the Cavs have had a coaching vacancy.
NBA insider Marc Stein reported that Jensen is “well-liked” within the Mavericks organization and could have the opportunity to complete the 2024-25 season in Dallas before transitioning to Utah. Regardless, Jensen is expected to take the helm of the Utes shortly, marking a return to his alma mater.
Utah hasn’t advanced in the NCAA Tournament since 2016.
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