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[Saba Sports News] The Dallas Mavericks’ struggles continue, and now they’re losing a key member of their coaching staff.
Pete Thamel of ESPN reported Thursday that Mavs assistant coach Alex Jensen has accepted the head coaching position at the University of Utah.
According to veteran NBA insider Marc Stein, Jensen will likely have the option to finish the season with Dallas before making the transition.
Jensen, 48, is in his second season as an assistant under Jason Kidd, helping the Mavericks reach the NBA Finals last year. Before that, he spent a decade as an assistant with the Utah Jazz.
A Utah native, Jensen has deep ties to the area. He was named Utah’s 1994 Mr. Basketball and played four seasons for the Utes, earning MWC Player of the Year honors in 2000 after taking a two-year break for a Latter-day Saints mission. Following his college career, he played professionally overseas in Spain, Japan, and Turkey for seven years.
Utah’s coaching vacancy opened last month after the school unexpectedly fired head coach Craig Smith in the middle of its first Big 12 season. Assistant coach Josh Eilert took over as interim coach, leading the Utes to a 16-14 record so far.
Meanwhile, the Mavericks’ season continues to spiral after last month’s blockbuster trade of Luka Doncic. The team has also been plagued by injuries and off-court turmoil, including the recent arrest of another assistant coach for assault. Jensen’s impending departure only adds to the growing list of challenges facing the franchise.