Utah Jazz: Quin Snyder extension is a commitment to excellence

The Utah Jazz have locked down Quin Snyder long-term with a contract extension, which fully shows the organization’s commitment to excellence.

Throughout the tenure of legendary Utah Jazz coach Jerry Sloan, fans of the Salt Lake City squad grew accustomed to two things. The first was consistency, as the team qualified for the playoffs in 15 consecutive seasons under Sloan’s watch, and in 19 of his 22 seasons overall (excluding the one wherein he resigned).

The second was largely connected to the first – stability. With Jerry Sloan at the helm, the Jazz maintained an unprecedented continuity that played an enormous role in their success. Fans and players alike knew what they were getting with Jerry Sloan. They were getting someone who demanded disciplined execution, unyielding effort and an unmatched tenacity. And nearly always, he was able to get that out of his players throughout his career.

In short, in head coach Jerry Sloan, the Jazz were getting excellence.

Unfortunately, following Sloan’s abrupt resignation, turbulent times followed for Jazz fans. No disrespect to his successor, Tyrone Corbin, but the Jazz completely failed to recapture the success they had once been so accustomed to. Corbin led the Jazz to just one playoff appearance, a quick sweep at the hands of the San Antonio Spurs.

Once Coach Corbin’s time had run its course, the Jazz went a different direction bringing in a coach whose career endeavors had taken him far and wide. From coaching at the collegiate level, to the D-League (now known as the G-League), to overseas, to assistant coaching with NBA teams, Quin had significant experience under his belt. Just before joining the Jazz, he was one of the masterminds on Coach Budenholzer’s brilliant Atlanta Hawks team and from there he was able to instantly step in as an excellent fit for a Jazz team in desperate need of an overhaul.

Snyder’s Jazz teams saw rapid improvement each and every year, until he finally led them to a playoff berth in 2017. They’ve qualified for the postseason in both years since then, and are primed for perhaps their best season yet in Snyder’s tenure in 2019-20.

In other words, based on Utah’s trajectory since Quin Snyder’s arrival to the team, it’s clear that they have yet again committed to excellence.

Snyder has once again established a culture of winning in Salt Lake City, and it’s reflected in all the Jazz do on the court. From hard-nosed defense to a commitment to perfection in a challenging offensive scheme, the Jazz have turned themselves into a consistent force to be reckoned with under Snyder.

As such, given his successes thus far and the expectations for the 2019-20 season, it comes as little surprise that the Jazz would be looking to invest in him for the foreseeable future. That’s exactly what they did on Saturday as the organization came to terms with him on a long-term extension.

Snyder already had two years remaining on his contract, so according to The Athletic’s Tony Jones, this extension guarantees he’ll be at the helm in Utah for at least the next four years. Considering Utah’s track record under Sloan for building continuity, it’s a refreshing and reassuring sign to see that they’ve likely found their next rock at the head coaching spot in Quin.

Those who have played under Snyder have continually raved about him as both a master at his craft and a person who knows how to connect with and reach his players. Per UtahJazz.com, here are just a few recent quotes from players depicting as much:

"“I’ve said it a million times, but he’s one of, if not the, best coaches I’ve had,” Jazz forward Joe Ingles said. “It’s not just Xs and Os, but the confidence he gives his players.”"

"“He’s really intense and he really knows his stuff,” point guard Mike Conley said. “… He’s just constantly thinking of ways to improve the team, himself as a coach. It’s great for me to have a guy like that trying to make me a better person and player every day. And I know he does that for the rest of the team.”"

"“I’d heard nothing but great things. Everybody told me how smart of a coach Coach Snyder is,” Emmanuel Mudiay said. “Witnessing it firsthand, I’ve never seen a coach so detailed. He pays attention to every little detail and he makes it so you can understand it.”"

Meanwhile, in a story from The Athletic about Snyder’s extension (paid subscription required), an account from Georges Niang was related in detail about how Quin impacted him as a player. And in light of the extension news, Donovan Mitchell recently took to Twitter to show just how excited he is:

In other words, keeping Snyder around long-term is obviously a great move across the board. His players are thrilled and fans should be as well, especially seeing how he turned the team around and continues to help them grow.

The Jazz prioritized revamping their front office this offseason with promotions for each of Dennis Lindsey, Justin Zanik and David Morway. Now, by locking in Quin Snyder for the foreseeable future, this team is as destined for greatness as any that has existed.

Under head coach Jerry Sloan, consistency and stability helped lead the Jazz to the NBA Finals. Can the team now replicate that effort with Quin Snyder and the support around him? Better yet, can they take it one more step and win it all?

Doing so won’t be an easy task. But agreeing to an extension with Snyder is certainly a step in the right direction with the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy as the franchise’s number one goal.