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SALT LAKE CITY -- Quin Snyder has been preaching defense since he arrived as the head coach of the Utah Jazz.
He could have used a bit more of it in the team’s 104-93 opening night loss to the Houston Rockets. But Snyder used his own best defense when I asked him a potentially explosive question.
“Some people may look to a player as a savior of a franchise,” I stated to Snyder. I was in the middle of asking him if the label fit him when he cut in to say “no” with a laugh.
Snyder has had plenty of experience saving his own career. It started bright as an assistant with the L.A. Clippers and Duke Blue Devils. At age 32, he became the head coach of Missouri. Snyder took his Tigers to the NCAA tournament his first four years and once to the Elite Eight.
A few years later, he resigned as losses piled up and the NCAA placed his team on probation for Snyder’s failure to control the program.
“The step from good to great requires the crucible of experience to get you there,” Snyder said when asked how good players can become great.
He should know after helping develop so many young athletes. But, it almost felt like he was talking about his current coaching journey.
Snyder wandered far and wide before arriving in Utah. He acted as a head coach in NBA D-League and an assistant coach for CSKA Moscow, the Los Angeles Lakers, Philadelphia 76ers and Atlanta Hawks.
“Fortunately, I’ve moved every year for the past 4-years,” Snyder said. “But in every case I’ve been with a coach in his first year. So having a chance to see the implementation of the process gives me an idea of how I want to approach it (here in Utah).”
Snyder is finally getting used to being called the head coach of the Jazz. He channeled Brigham Young when speaking of his current comfort level.
“This is the right place for me. I think there is a type of comfort I hope I never feel and that is too comfortable.”
Snyder hasn’t let his players feel at ease.
“Coach Quin has been hard on us, really intense,” forward Gordon Hayward said after one practice.
But he’s also brought results. Trey Burke said he’s playing better thanks to his hard work and the tutelage of Snyder.
“I think a lot of it is the new system.”
The coach has loved Burke’s effort.
“You always want players to want to do what you’re asking,” Snyder said. “But, to have them embrace something on a deeper level… that’s the direction we are going with Trey.”
Back to the question of Snyder serving a franchise saver. When challenged on claimed promises of player development and the creation of a winning philosophy, he pushed back.
“You’ve thrown two things at me. One, that I’ve made a lot of promises. And two, that I’m a ‘savior.’ I would reject both of those assumptions.”
Snyder said he was hired to a do a job and the team will go about their business in workman-like fashion. But while answering another question about his coaching philosophy, he looked at me and made a vow.
“We need to get back in transition defense. And that is a promise.” Snyder laughed, along with several in the media throng.
Time will tell if he can keep that promise. I am a reporter and producer for KSL Newsradio. I am also a co-host on Cougar Sports Saturday. I've worked for KSL since August of 2001.
