Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune The Utah Jazz introduced Quinn Snyder as their new head coach, Saturday, June 7, 2014. From keft to right: Utah Jazz GM Dennis Lindsey, Jazz head coach Quinn Snyder, Synder's wife Amy Snyder, Jazz owner Gail Miller, and her new husband Mr. Kim R. Wilson.
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Dennis Lindsey wasn’t convinced when Quin Snyder’s hiring was initially suggested.
In Texas in 2007, general manager R.C. Buford of the San Antonio Spurs was curious about his assistant’s opinion about Snyder taking over as coach of the D-League’s Austin Toros.
“I’m not sure, R.C.” was Lindsey’s response.
It’s safe to say that Lindsey is a believer now that he gave Snyder the keys to an NBA team five years later.
The 47-year-old Snyder made promises to prioritize player development for a young, rebuilding team, to prioritize defense for a team that finished last in the league, and to embrace analytics when he was introduced as the eighth head coach in Jazz history on Saturday.
“This is a great fit for me,” Synder exclaimed.
Following a “thorough search,” Snyder emerged as the front-runner among four finalists, which also included assistants Adrian Griffin of the Bulls, Alvin Gentry of the Clippers, and Brad Jones of the Jazz. Snyder and the Jazz reached a reportedly three-year agreement on Friday, with a team option for a fourth season.
Jazz owner Gail Miller described the traits she saw in Snyder as “his humility, his intelligence, and how well-educated he is, not just in the academic world but in the basketball world.” His ambition to take the Utah Jazz to a championship as head coach also made an impression on me. That’s what we’re anticipating, then. Quin, don’t feel under pressure.”
For Snyder, the position is the most recent in a ten-year journey of redemption.
The 32-year-old, law-degree-holding former Duke point guard was appointed head coach of the University of Missouri. However, losses and recruiting infractions led to a tumultuous split with the Tigers.
Speaking on Saturday, he responded, “I’ve faced some challenges in my life,” when asked about his past. “I’ve benefited from those challenges. I have experienced some adversity, and that experience has improved both my coaching and my character. I consider myself to have persevered through a number of challenges and simply tried to work with the help of many wonderful people.”
After falling, Snyder ended up in Austin.
Lindsey was impressed by Snyder’s ability to accumulate victories in the D-League while maintaining the challenging balance of matriculating players to the NBA.
Snyder then lived in Moscow, Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia.
“My wife, Amy, who briefly attended Utah State University, is the happiest person alive that we will be staying somewhere for a while,” Snyder said. “Hopefully a long time.”
According to Snyder, his experience as an assistant coach helped him overcome any blind spots. It also prepared him for his most recent assignment in Utah.
“One of the things that came out with Quin during the process was how hungry he was to prove himself in the head coaching position again,” said Lindsey.
Jazz officials were intrigued by Snyder’s D-League experience and his emphasis on player development in his role as an assistant.
Snyder declared, “I adore player development.”
The coach will have plenty of that to do in Utah as he attempts to work with a roster that Snyder described as “an excellent foundation” despite being full of unproven players.
In order to capitalize on his team’s athleticism, Snyder stated that he wants “to play with some pace to try to give us a chance to make some easy baskets.”
Snyder made an impression as well with his plans and assurances regarding the team’s defensive shortcomings.
“We’d like to have a defensive identity,” he stated. We would like to make a stand in that area. It requires focus and habits.”
The hiring is arguably the biggest move Jazz CEO Greg Miller has made since taking over as leader of the company following the death of his father.
“Really, the goal that I have, the goal our family has … is to see this team become a championship contender again and of course win a ring,” he stated. “One of the things that is so appealing to me is to win a ring for my dad posthumously when I’m driving and have the chance to just think things through and sort out issues in my life. .. I’m committed to doing everything we can to move that much closer. I believe that when we hired Quin, we made a significant step in that direction.”
