SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Legendary basketball coach Jerry Sloan will be serving as a senior basketball adviser for the Utah Jazz it was announced Wednesday.
The Jazz and Sloan have agreed to a multi-year deal. Sloan has been with the team throughout the off-season. He's been helping out during the pregame workouts leading up to next week's NBA draft.
During a press conference on Thursday, Sloan talked about his eagerness to return to the Jazz organization. He also acknowledged the return of another Jazz-man to the organization, all-star player Karl Malone.
"I think he's doing a great job," Sloan said. "He should inspire younger players if they're willing to do the work."
According to a press release from the Utah Jazz, Sloan will help with player evaluations at workouts, camps and summer league. He will do limited pro and regional college scouting and occasional practice observation. He will also host an annual prep and college coaches clinic.
Utah Jazz President Randy Rigby said Sloan will be an incredible asset to the team.
“The basketball knowledge and experience that Jerry brings is invaluable, and his insights will help in our pursuit of becoming a championship-caliber team,” he said. “We are pleased to formally welcome Jerry back into the organization as an adviser.”
Head Coach Tyrone Corbin said he is looking forward to having Sloan in the mix.
“I am glad Jerry is going to continue to be involved with our organization,” he said. “We will benefit from his wealth of basketball experience. I am looking forward to his continued contributions.”
Sloan said he is grateful for the opportunity to part of the Jazz organization.
“In my new role with the Jazz franchise, I hope to help the basketball operations staff and Ty in any way that I can to achieve their goals,” he said. “I would like to thank the Miller family for the opportunity to be part of the organization again.”
Utah Jazz CEO Greg Miller tweeted Wednesday, “I am pleased and honored to have Jerry Sloan back in the Jazz family in an official capacity. Details on 1280TheZone at 5pm.”
According to the press release: "During his 23 seasons as head coach of the Jazz (1988-2011), Sloan guided the Jazz to 19 playoff appearances, two NBA Finals (1997, 1998), seven division titles, a streak of 16 consecutive winning seasons (1988-2004), 13 seasons with 50-plus wins and three with 60-plus wins. Sloan was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on Sept. 11, 2009."
