Aggie assistant Jones returns to Utah; former USU star reportedly to replace him


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SALT LAKE CITY — Former University of Utah basketball player Chris Jones has returned home.

The former Utah State assistant coach accepted a position as director of operations at his alma mater, the university announced Friday morning in a statement from head coach Larry Krystkowiak.

“We are very excited to welcome Chris back to our Ute family,” Krystkowiak said. “CJ is a quality individual who understands this profession and possesses the traits needed for success.”

Jones, who spent eight seasons at Utah State under former coach Stew Morrill and transitioned into a role coaching the team’s guards under successor Tim Duryea, previously worked at Utah as video coordinator from 1995-97 and returned as director of operations in 2005.

Among other duties, Jones was responsible for instate recruiting for the Aggies, factoring prominently in the recruitment of former local high school standouts like Jalen Moore of Sky View and Tai Wesley of Provo.

Jones replaces former Utah director of operations Phil Cullen, who recently left the program to become the director of basketball strategy for the San Antonio Spurs.

“Our eight years in Logan have been special,” said Jones, who play two seasons at Utah in 1993-94 “The Cache Valley community, the Utah State community and all the great people and players that I’ve been fortunate to be around will forever be remembered by our family.

“Coach Duryea is a great friend and mentor. He is a great basketball coach, and I look forward to watching the Aggies have great success.”

Photo: Ravell Call, Deseret News
Photo: Ravell Call, Deseret News

Utah State has officially launched a search for Jones’ replacement, but early reports indicate a former Aggie standout may be returning to Logan to fill the assistant coaching vacancy.

Spencer Nelson, who played for Utah State from 1999-2005, appears set to succeed Jones at Utah State, according to Cache Valley Daily. The Aggies did not confirm a hire has taken place but said the “wheels are already in motion” in the coaching search on Twitter.

The 36-year-old Nelson has played in Europe for the past decade, most recently at Reyer Venezia Mestre in Italy before announcing his retirement July 14, 2015. he also played alongside former USU teammate Jaycee Carroll at CB Gran Canaria in Spain’s Liga ACB in 2010, among many other stops.

A native of Pocatello, Idaho, Nelson earned a degree from Utah State in 2010 after a four-year career that included second-team all-Big West honors as a junior in 2004 when he averaged 11.5 points and 7.8 rebounds per game.

Nelson most recently worked for Salt Lake City radio station 1280 The Zone.

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