Utah Utes hire Mavs assistant Jensen as head coach

Dallas Mavericks assistant Alex Jensen accepted Utah's offer to become the program's next head coach, the school announced Thursday.

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.

"My basketball journey has been filled with so many people who have helped shape me as a coach and as a person, ultimately guiding me to this opportunity to lead the Runnin' Utes basketball program," Jensen said in a statement.

"I'm thankful for all of the great mentors I've had along the way as I embark on this next step to lead Utah Basketball. This is an exciting chapter for my family and me, and I'm looking forward to returning to a place that has meant so much to me. I can't wait to get to work with our student-athletes, coaches, and the university as we move forward to achieve our goals."

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, replaces Craig Smith, who the Utes dismissed Feb. 24. 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.