Report: Utah Utes hiring Mavs assistant Jensen as head coach

Dallas Mavericks assistant Alex Jensen accepted Utah's offer to become the program's next head coach, sources told ESPN's Pete Thamel and Alex Borzello.

Jensen, a Utah native, played four seasons with the Utes from 1994-2000 under late Hall of Fame coach Rick Majerus. He returned from a two-year Latter-day Saints mission in England ahead of his sophomore campaign in 1997-98, during which he was a full-time starter on the Utes squad that fell to Kentucky in the NCAA Tournament final. As a senior, he averaged 13.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.1 assists in 1999-2000.

Former Utes guard and NBA journeyman Andre Miller is a candidate to join Jensen's coaching staff, sources told CBS Sports' Matt Norlander. The two were teammates in Utah for two seasons, beginning with the 1997-98 squad that made the national final.

Jensen, 48, will replace Craig Smith, who was dismissed Feb. 24 by the Utes. Smith went 15-12 in the team's debut Big 12 season and amassed a 65-62 record over four campaigns.

Jensen joined Jason Kidd's staff on the Mavs ahead of the 2023-24 campaign after a decade in the same role with the Utah Jazz. He was named the 2013 G League Coach of the Year during a two-year stint with the Canton Charge, the Cleveland Cavaliers' affiliate.

After going undrafted in 2000, Jensen embarked on an eight-year professional career with stops in Turkey, Spain, Japan, and the United States for one season in the now-defunct Continental Basketball Association. He spent most of his playing days in Turkey, where he represented four clubs.