3 head coach candidates to keep Donovan Mitchell happy with the Jazz

1. Alex Jensen

Sometimes the best choice is right in front of you. Jensen has been an assistant with the Jazz for the past eight seasons, all working under Quin Snyder. He knows the players. He knows the locker room. And, in theory, he knows all about what has short-circuited this team over the past few seasons in the playoffs.

Jensen’s experience is a bit more narrow than Terry or Cassell (he played for the University of Utah before going overseas to play in Turkey, Spain and Japan). But he’s been a candidate for other high-profile jobs, including the Lakers this season and head coach at the University of Utah in the spring of 2021. Jensen also won D League Coach of the Year in 2013 with the Canton Charge and held a relatively important position with the Jazz, per Deseret News:

"Under Snyder, Jensen became critical in the development of Rudy Gobert and also became Snyder’s right-hand man, taking on head coaching duties when Snyder was sidelined himself."

Jensen may not be the most exciting hire but he’s clearly qualified and highly regarded, and if Mitchell will be soothed by familiarity and some measure of continuity, he might be a much better fit than a flashier name like Cassell or Terry.