Alex Jensen, a Utah Utes legend and seasoned NBA assistant coach currently with the Dallas Mavericks, is expected to be named Utah basketball’s new head coach. The news was first reported by ESPN’s Pete Thamel and Jeff Borzello.
Jensen was always viewed as the top target, but other promising candidates were interviewed during the process to replace Craig Smith, who was fired Feb. 24.
After a swift search, University of Utah president Taylor Randall and athletics director Mark Harlan followed through.
Jensen will return to his alma mater with 18 seasons of coaching experience, highlighted by 12 as an NBA assistant.
He has spent the past two seasons working under head coach Jason Kidd with the Mavericks. Before that, Jensen spent 10 seasons with the Utah Jazz, including time under Tyrone Corbin and Quin Snyder.
As an NBA assistant, Jensen has worked closely with players like Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, Lauri Markkanen, Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert.
Prior to his breakthrough in the league with the Jazz, Jensen served as head coach of Canton Charge in the G League. Jensen was named G League Coach of the Year during the 2012-13 season in which he led the Charge to the top record in the league.
After starring as a player for legendary coach Rick Majerus at Utah, Jensen’s coaching career started as an assistant under Majerus at Saint Louis from 2007-11.
Utah is currently 16-14 and 8-11 in Big 12 play.
Smith was fired after posting a 65-62 record with the Utes.
This story originally appeared on KSLSports.com.