The Craig Smith era at Utah is over.
Mark Harlan, the program’s athletic director, announced the decision to part ways with Smith on Monday afternoon following the Runnin’ Utes loss to UCF last weekend.
Smith was closing in on his fourth year as the program’s head coach. He had led Utah to a 15-12 overall record and a 7-9 record in the Big 12 this season. Before losing to the Knights, Utah was coming off back-to-back wins over Kansas and Kansas State in Salt Lake City.
“After evaluating our program under Craig’s leadership, I believe a change is needed to get us to where we want to go,” Harlan said in a statement. “The time is now to begin that process, and we will surround Coach [Josh] Eilert, the staff and our student-athletes with support as they continue with their season.
“We have greater aspirations for our men’s basketball program, both within the Big 12 Conference and nationally, and our expectation is to regularly compete in the NCAA Tournament.”
A national search for Utah’s next head coach has begun, as the Utes look to return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2016.
Here’s a look at some potential candidates — and their strengths and weaknesses:
Alex Jensen, Dallas Mavericks assistant coach
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Alex Jensen, Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) as the Utah Jazz host the Sacramento Kings, NBA basketball in Salt Lake City on Saturday, March 12, 2022.
Pro: He’s a former Ute player, and he has a plethora of coaching experiences. He’s been the G League Coach of the Year, turned Rudy Gobert into a multiple Defensive Player of the Year winner, and helped lead the Dallas Mavericks to the NBA Finals in 2024. He’s coached and played at the collegiate and professional level both overseas and in the United States. Jensen also understands the pride associated with Utah’s men’s basketball program. There’s a good chance his hire would invigorate boosters and, in turn, lead to more NIL money for the basketball program.
Con: In the pros, Jensen can focus exclusively on basketball. Making the move to the college ranks would mean juggling recruiting, fundraising and a host of other asks. Is he interested in that lifestyle change?
Andre Miller, Grand Rapids Gold head coach
(Steve Griffin | Tribune file photo) Utah’s Andre Miller walks up the court dejected as Kentucky takes control of the 1998 championship game in San Antonio, Texas. Kentucky players Saul Smith (11) and Steve Masiello (4)
Pro: Like Jensen, Andre Miller understands the fan base’s nostalgia for the Runnin’ Utes and the love that it takes to compete at a high level. The former Utah guard was an integral piece of Utah’s 1998 Final Four run with Rick Majerus. He’d be a perfect candidate to add a spark of energy to Utah’s basketball program.
Con: Like Jensen, Miller lacks collegiate head coaching experience and would have to adapt to the new business model of college athletics. Players want to get paid and building a culture is nearly impossible with the advent of the transfer portal.
Richard Pitino, New Mexico head coach
FILE – Minnesota head coach Richard Pitino watches from the bench during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Iowa, in Iowa City, Iowa in this Monday, Dec. 9, 2019, file photo. As coach Richard Pitino starts a pivotal eighth year at Minnesota, the Gophers will again try to bounce back from a bad season after finishing in 12th place in the Big Ten in 2019-20. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)
Pro: Richard Pitino has helped rebuild New Mexico’s basketball program this season. The Lobos are currently atop the Mountain West and are vying for their second consecutive berth into the NCAA Tournament.
Con: Hiring another Mountain West head coach might be a hard sell for Utah’s boosters, especially since Smith came from Utah State four seasons ago.
Johnnie Bryant, associate head coach Cleveland Cavaliers
(Chris Detrick | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz assistant coach Johnnie Bryant watches during the game at Vivint Smart Home Arena Friday, January 19, 2018.
Pro: Like Jensen and Miller, Johnnie Bryant is a former Ute and would add a bit of nostalgia to the program. Bryant is also a tenured NBA assistant with stops with the Utah Jazz (2014-20), New York Knicks (2020-24) and Cleveland Cavaliers (2024-now). If it isn’t with Utah, Bryant seems bound to be a head coach somewhere soon.
Con: Outside of his time with the Runnin’ Utes, Bryant doesn’t have any college coaching experience. With the changing landscape of NIL, the transfer portal and more, it would be an adjustment for Bryant to make as a first-time college coach.
Josh Eilert, current Utah interim head coach
FILE – West Virginia athletic director Wren Baker, left, and interim NCAA college basketball coach Josh Eilert answer questions during a news conference, June 26, 2023, in Morgantown, W.Va. Eilert took over for the 2023-24 season after coach Bob Huggins was arrested on a drunken driving charge and the university says he subsequently resigned. (AP Photo/Kathleen Batten, File)
Pro: Josh Eilert has a plethora of Big 12 experience and will now have served as an interim head coach at two spots. It’s only a matter of time before he becomes a head coach somewhere in college basketball.
Con: Eilert is a holdover from Smith’s latest staff. If the Runnin’ Utes are looking for a completely fresh start, that means he and the rest of the remaining assistants are likely gone after the 2025 season.
Other names to watch
Steve Wojciechowski — Currently the coach of the Salt Lake City Stars, Wojciechowski spent seven seasons as the head coach of Marquette, compiling a 128-95 record and making the NCAA tournament twice.
Bryce Drew — He has 13 seasons of head coaching experience at the college level. At Grand Canyon, he’s put together four straight 20-win seasons. “There is a benefit to hiring someone who’s been a high-major coach before, and who has recruited at that level; don’t forget that Drew brought Darius Garland and Aaron Nesmith to Nashville,” The Athletic wrote of Drew’s potential fit at Utah.
Eric Olsen — UC San Diego already has 24 wins this season, including an impressive victory on the road at Utah State. As The Athletic said, “The 44-year-old is the rare coach young enough to still make multiple moves but experienced enough to be patient about the best fit. Is this it? Olsen is an Alabama native whose entire coaching career has come in San Diego, and the lack of Utah ties is notable compared with other candidates.”
