Boiling over for Boylen as new Jazz coach


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SALT LAKE CITY — During a radio interview in the summer of 2011 longtime Utah athletic director Chris Hill praised new basketball coach Larry Krystkowiak for his overall intelligence in addition to an impressive resume.

Succeeding Jim Boylen, whose program turned into a mess upon his termination, Krystkowiak has done a fine job turning Utah basketball into a winner over the last three seasons. With the majority of the roster returning, combined with a potential strong recruiting class, the Utes are expected to contend for an NCAA tournament berth this season.

After two successive failures, Hill got it right in hiring a smart guy. What’s interesting in Hill’s assessment of Krystkowiak’s high IQ is the unspoken inference, which is that the other prior coach might not have been so bright.

And yet that person could end up being the new coach of the Jazz.

According to numerous national and local reports, Boylen is a leading candidate to succeed Ty Corbin, whose contract was not renewed after the Jazz stumbled through a horrible season. Italian Ettore Messina, who’s built a strong reputation in international coaching, also is considered a candidate, probably along with several others.

The hook is Boylen has had a longstanding relationship with Jazz general manager Dennis Lindsey, dating back to when both worked for the Houston Rockets. Since getting fired at Utah, Boylen served two years as an assistant for the Indiana Pacers and is currently Gregg Popovich’s top assistant with the San Antonio Spurs.


He had some guys that midway through the (last Utah) season you could tell they had quit on him. I just don't think he's real enough to control a locker room, control a bunch of guys that are NBA athletes and that have egos and understand the game.

–Pace Mannion


“Really, he’s one of the brightest basketball minds I’ve ever been around,” Indiana coach Frank Vogel told the Deseret News when Boylen was his assistant.

Lindsey was San Antonio’s assistant general manager before getting a promotion with the Jazz. Popovich, who added Boylen to the staff last June, is the reigning gold standard for NBA coaches, capturing four championships and having numerous assistants go on to become head coaches in the league.

None of those coaches, however, have such a miserable track record in Utah as Boylen had during his stint with the Utes. He was more known for his buffoonery than coaching, prone to emotional outbursts with media members and screaming “Go Utes” on the public address system after home games.

In four seasons, Boylen’s teams made one NCAA tournament appearance. He had an overall record of 69-60 but was 27-35 the last two seasons.

Former Ute and NBA player Pace Mannion said he was shocked to learn the Jazz are considering Boylen. He doesn’t think Boylen’s act will fly in the NBA.

“He had some guys that midway through the (last Utah) season you could tell they had quit on him. I just don’t think he’s real enough to control a locker room, control a bunch of guys that are NBA athletes and that have egos and understand the game,” Mannion said during an interview with 97.5-FM and 1280-AM The Zone.

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Having played six seasons in the NBA and several others overseas, Mannion has many contacts throughout professional basketball. He's heard Boylen is an excellent assistant coach and teaches the game well in practice.

In addition to Houston, San Antonio and Indiana, Boylen has been an assistant coach with the Milwaukee Bucks, Golden State Warriors and Michigan State. There’s something to be said for always finding work, especially if Popovich is providing a recommendation.

“Maybe being with ‘Pop’ in San Antonio has given him some insight on how to do it, but I don’t think you learn that in that short of time. I think you are who you are as a coach. I think those spots don’t change,” Mannion said.

“BYU fans were happy that he was at Utah, and Utah fans were unhappy that he was at Utah. I don’t know who you satisfy by bring him in as the Utah Jazz coach. I think it’s a mistake.”

As a coaching legend in the international game, Messina is an intriguing possibility. The 54-year-old is labeled as a demanding coach with a great mind for the nuances of the game.

Former BYU star Travis Hansen, who played against and for Messina in Europe, offers a high recommendation.

“He’s the total package,” Hansen said. “Messina would be good. He’s got the reputation. NBA guys would respect him.”

There you go. Now, Jazz who do you want?

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