Jazz hire former coach Jerry Sloan as senior basketball adviser
The Jazz have hired legendary coach Jerry Sloan to serve as an adviser. (Melissa Majchrzak/Getty Images)
The Jazz announced Wednesday that former coach Jerry Sloan has been hired to serve as a senior basketball adviser.
“The basketball knowledge and experience that Jerry brings is invaluable, and his insights will help in our pursuit of becoming a championship-caliber team,” Jazz president Randy Rigby said in a statement. “We are pleased to formally welcome Jerry back into the organization as an adviser.”
Sloan, 71, abruptly retired in 2011 after more than two decades coaching the Jazz, amidst reports of a strained relationship with All-Star guard Deron Williams. Since then, his name has been floated in rumors linking him to possible open coaching jobs, but he has not worked for any other organizations.
Inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame as a coach in 2009, Sloan holds a 1,221-803 (.603) career record in 26 seasons with the Bulls and Jazz. He was the longest-tenured NBA coach at the time of his retirement, as he took over in Utah in 1988, guiding the Jazz to the playoffs 19 times in his 22-plus seasons as coach.
According to the Jazz, Sloan will provide support to the organization's basketball operations department and coaching staff by providing player evaluations throughout the year. He will also run a yearly coaching clinic.
“In my new role with the Jazz franchise, I hope to help the basketball operations staff and [coach Tyrone Corbin] in any way that I can to achieve their goals,” Sloan said.
Corbin served as an assistant under Sloan for seven years before taking the reins when Sloan retired.
“I am glad Jerry is going to continue to be involved with our organization,” Corbin said. “We will benefit from his wealth of basketball experience. I am looking forward to his continued contributions.”
