Hail to the Chief! Jonathan Rinehart named president of Utah Jazz G-League team

Utah Jazz VP of communications Jonathan Rinehart is set to head operations for the organization’s G-League affiliate, the Salt Lake City Stars.

When their second season on the Wasatch Front tips off this fall, the Salt Lake City Stars could be a different team. As of last week, leading scorer Henry Sims and starting guard Tyrone Wallace are both on the outs. Sims has signed with Italian club Vanoli Cremona, while Wallace will reportedly join the LA Clippers for training camp.

However, the club is set to make a key acquisition next month. Jonathan Rinehart, who is the vice president of communications for Salt Lake’s parent club, the Utah Jazz, will head up operations for the G-League team beginning on September 1.

In a Tuesday press release, the Jazz announced that Rinehart will be the Stars’ next team president.  His responsibilities will include business operations, marketing, community relations and entertainment. Bart Taylor will continue to be SLC’s point-man for personnel decisions.

Rinehart is essentially taking over for former Stars GM Bart Sharp, the new senior VP of marketing for the Jazz.

In addition to his role as Stars president, Rinehart will continue to direct the Utah Jazz Summer League. He’s led the current iteration of Utah’s summer league for three years and previously directed the old Rocky Mountain Revue.

While his new gig won’t be an easy one, Rinehart told The Salt Lake Tribune that he’s looking forward to the challenge.

Via the Trib’s Kyle Goon —

"“It’s really going to be challenging in a lot of ways,” Rinehart said. ”It really allows me to grow and get experience in a lot of areas while also staying within the Jazz family and Miller organization.”"

Rinehart wasn’t the only new addition to the Stars’ staff this week. The long-reported hiring of Austrian coach Martin Schiller as the man on the sidelines for the Stars next season became official on Wednesday.

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Now, if I were Rinehart, my first order of business would be to send the team’s mascot, ‘Buster’ to the chopping block. That thing’s dark, icy gaze haunts my dreams.

In all seriousness, congrats to Rinehart on the job and hail to the Chief!