SALT LAKE CITY -- Alex Jensen has officially been named the head coach of Utah's men's basketball program, and his hiring has been met with excitement from fans and former Runnin' Utes.
Utah landed their top choice and the coach they believe will help elevate the program to national relevancy again. Jensen will be tasked with raising the bar, and reigniting the passion for the program.
Since the news of his hiring was made official on Thursday, former players and coaches have expressed excitement and optimism about the move.
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Branden Carlson, Utah C 2019-24
"I think it means a lot to have a former Ute come back and coach at the alma mater. It shows how much he cares about the University and the fact he has great experience, he's going to have a great approach to bring Utah back to the top."
"The hiring of Alex Jensen will bring an unprecedented level of excitement around the program. Alex is a Utah guy, who understands the history and tradition of Utah Basketball and knows what it takes to be successful here. He gives our fan base a connection to our storied past and with his NBA experience, he'll be prepared for the new climate of college basketball. Bright days ahead for the Runnin' Utes!"
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Tyler Rawson, Utah F 2014-18
"Having an alumni lead the program will give him an early head start. Alex already knows what it takes to have a successful program, the right players to be a great culture, and with his NBA resume and connections, he'll highlight it in recruiting players that have true NBA potential. It's a great day to be a Ute!"
"Having Alex Jensen as head coach at Utah instantly brings toughness, high basketball IQ, and a taste of the past Utah tradition of winning championships. I think he'll run a great program and surround himself with good basketball people. I think it means a great deal to Utah fans and former players!"
"I'm excited, we're pumped for him, I'm excited to see him up there. I think this could've been done, heck, eight years ago, probably 12 years ago, he would've been ready to be the coach. Now we've got him even more experienced, he's got more coaching experience downloaded into his head on how to make this thing work. He's got a huge challenge in front of him, but I'm excited for him, and I think all Ute fans are excited. There's not a smarter coach, player or coach, that I've played with that understands the game better than he does."
Josh Grant, Utah F 1988-93
"As an alum and fan of good basketball, I could not be happier that Alex has decided to come home and be our coach! We all got spoiled having Rick around, and it will be so nice to return to a program that we can be proud of and feel a real connection."
Hanno Mottola, Utah C 1996-00
"This is an exciting time for Utah basketball! I am very happy for Alex and for the program. Utah gets one of it's all-time greats to lead them back to where Utah basketball should be and that's the NCAA Tournament. Alex is an experienced coach at the highest level and will work well with the players and the community. I have zero doubt that the Huntsman Center will be rocking again."
Donny Daniels, Utah assistant coach, Director of Player Development
"I think he has the pedigree, he has the wherewithal, and people want him to succeed. It's one thing when you walk in that building and everybody that sits in their seats wants him to succeed, that's a powerful feeling, sometimes it's overwhelming. But I think he'll be able to handle it and Utah fans will be in his corner win or tie, I know I am. It's a great day for Utah basketball, for sure, great day for the city, the fans, alumni, and boosters."
Chris Jones, Utah G 1993-94, assistant coach
"I was just ecstatic for Alex and the university in general, with all the tradition, all the history, and all the fans he was the guy that everybody wanted and they got it done, so I'm really happy for everyone involved. He was the guy they had to get, he checked all the boxes, he's going to energize the fanbase."