Larry Krystkowiak inks new $7M, 5-year deal


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SALT LAKE CITY — Utah basketball head coach Larry Krystkowiak has officially signed a new five-year contract with the university, according to a statement released Thursday afternoon.

Krystkowiak's five-year contract is for $7 million — $1.4 million per season — and will go through the 2018-19 basketball season. Krystkowiak will also receive a $375,000 bonus if he stays through the 2016-17 season, and another $375,000 if he stays through the rest of his contract.

“Our men’s basketball program continues to make tremendous progress under Coach Krystkowiak and his staff,” Utah Athletics Director Dr. Chris Hill said in a prepared statement Thursday. “He has embraced being a part of the Utah family and immersed himself in the Salt Lake community. I am excited about the future of our program under his leadership and look forward to continued success on, and off, the court.”

Krystkowiak has been with the program for three seasons, joining the program in Utah's first season as a new member of the Pac-12 after then-head coach Jim Boylen was fired. Krystkowiak one only six games his first season as he attempted to rebuild the prorgam.

Krystkowiak increased the talent pool at Utah and has seen success every season as the team's head coach. Last season, the Utes went 21-12 and were invited to National Invitational Tournament, losing to Saint Mary's in the first round.


He has embraced being a part of the Utah family and immersed himself in the Salt Lake community. I am excited about the future of our program under his leadership and look forward to continued success on, and off, the court.

–Dr. Chris Hill


“I’m very excited and honored about the commitment from Dr. Hill.” Krystkowiak said in a statement. “He and I have a tremendous working relationship and I want to thank him for the support and belief he has shown to me and the program. I love the situation here and a lot of people and players associated with Utah Basketball have worked extremely hard to get us to this position.”

In April, Hill told KSL.com the university had been in talks with Krystkowiak throughout the season and that it was a top priority to get a new contract for Krystkowiak.

“Larry and I have talked a few times during the season,” Hill said. “We know things are going in a very positive direction. I let him know that we wanted to put together a new contract and we have pretty much agreed.”

At the conclusion of the previous season, Krystkowiak was rumored to be on the shortlist for other coaching positions around the country. Hill said the university wasn't worried about other programs because he believed Krystkowiak enjoyed the job and that the university had made it a good place to coach.

“I want to do what’s right for us,” Hill said. “He’s expressed to me that he’s enjoyed the job, he’s excited about his future. I feel like we’re on the same page.”

“I think this is one of the best college jobs in America,” Krystkowiak said. “We have a lot of positive momentum right now with the team coming back and the offseason additions. We have the new facility being built and renovations are being made to the Huntsman Center. We still have a lot of work to do but we are on the cusp of doing some special things and I’m proud to be a part of it.”

Utah has essentially the same roster it had last season, adding new recruits Chris Reyes, a junior college transfer from Citrus College; Kyle Kuzma, a freshman from Michigan; Brekkot Chapman, a freshman from Roy, Utah;Isaiah Wright, a freshman from Boise; and Australian center Jakob Poeltl.

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