Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY — Two faces familiar to Utah Jazz coach Quin Snyder are joining the team’s coaching staff — Dell Demps and Keyon Dooling.
Demps, a former player and longtime NBA executive, is coming on as an assistant coach.
“I was fortunate to work with Dell to begin my career as a head coach in professional basketball and I know he will delve into his role on the bench,” Snyder said in a statement. “He has an incredible work ethic and commitment to his craft.”
Demps most recently worked as the senior vice president of basketball operations and general manager of the New Orleans Pelicans from 2010-2019.
“I am absolutely thrilled to have the opportunity to collaborate with Coach Snyder again,” Demps said in a statement. “I have always had tremendous respect for Quin and the Jazz organization. I look forward to joining this talented coaching staff and working with our players.”
Demps, who played three seasons in the NBA for the Golden State Warriors, San Antonio Spurs and the Orlando Magic, said he and his wife are “excited to make the move to Utah and become a part of a tremendous community.”
Additionally, former NBA guard Keyon Dooling was hired as the new player development coach — one month after former player development coach Johnnie Bryant left the team to become a top assistant for the New York Knicks.
Dooling played for two years at the University of Missouri, including the 1999-2000 season that was Snyder's first as coach of the Tigers.
“Keyon is a fantastic addition for us on multiple levels and someone I’ve always had tremendous respect for since our time at Missouri where we formed a close bond that has continued throughout the years,” Snyder said. “He’s a natural leader who was a captain on multiple teams in the league and I have no doubt that the way he approached the game as a player will translate to the work he puts in with our roster on the court.”
The team has seen its fair share of turnover this year — back in May, longtime Jazz vice president of player personnel Walt Perrin left for the Knicks as well.
Most recently, Dooling worked as the National Basketball Players Association wellness counselor and mental health advocate.
Dooling, who had a 13-year career playing in the NBA, said he looks forward to the opportunity of working on Snyder’s staff.
“Every former player who loves the game would leap at a chance like this,” he said in a statement. “Player development has always been a cornerstone of Coach Snyder’s programs and I couldn’t be more excited to get on the court and embrace that process with this next generation of players.”
Originally from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Dooling said he and his family look forward to calling Salt Lake City home.
