Utah Jazz coach Quinn Snyder has resigned after eight seasons with the franchise, the team said Sunday.
The Jazz property and management spent several weeks trying to persuade Snyder to return as coach – even offering a contract extension – but he simply decided it was time to retire, ESPN sources told Adrian Voynarovski.
Snyder has two years left on his contract, including his own option for the last year, Voynarovski’s sources said.
Snyder, who underwent hip surgery after the season, is recovering to full health. If he decides to run for other coaching positions in the future, Snyder is expected to be a high priority for almost every team with an opening.
In a statement, Snyder said he was “grateful” for the time he spent with Jazz, but his decision boils down to what is best for the team’s players.
“At the core and what moves me every day are our players and their passion for the game, their desire to work constantly to improve and their dedication to the team and jazz. I strongly feel that they need a new voice in order to continue to develop. That’s it. No philosophical differences, no other reason. “After eight years, I just feel it’s time to move on,” Snyder said in a statement. “I had to take time after the season and make sure it was the right decision.”
Jazz plans to start looking for a coach immediately, Voynarovski’s sources said.
Snyder had a 372-264 record in his eight seasons with Jazz, beating Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors for the third longest term with an active senior team coach, and lagged behind Greg Popovich of the San Antonio Spurs and Eric of Miami Heat Sporo.
Snyder’s 372 wins are the second most head coach in jazz history, lagging behind Jerry Sloan’s 1,127 wins from the Franchise Hall of Fame.
After inheriting the franchise after the 25-57 season, Snyder played an important role in making Utah a permanent playoff team. Jazz has the longest active post-season series in the Western Conference in six years, but Utah has not advanced to the semifinals of the conference this era.
Utah has undergone major changes at all levels of the organization during Snyder’s tenure, especially in the past two years, including Ryan Smith’s acquisition of the Miller franchise and the transition from Dennis Lindsey to Danny Eing as chief executive of basketball.
“Queen Snyder has embodied jazz basketball for the past eight years,” Smith said in a statement. “Quinn’s tireless work ethic and attention to detail every day is proof of the professionalism he is. I feel nothing but admiration for Quinn and I respect his decision.”
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