Returning to Utah: Alex Jensen
Learn about the recently reported head coach of the Utah Utes and veteran NBA assistant who specializes in developing big men.
Alex Jensen has been named the Utah Utes. He previously served as an assistant coach for the Dallas Mavericks, Utah Jazz, the Germany men's national basketball team (2015), and Saint Louis Billikens. Jensen also served as the head coach of the Canton Charge of the NBA’s D-League, and Team USA’s AmeriCup team in 2022.
Known for his work with big men and player development, Coach Jensen has notably worked with Rudy Gobert and Dereck Lively.
In this article, you’ll learn about Coach Jensen, his coaching career, and what he’ll bring to the Utes.
Before Coaching
Alex Jensen was born on May 16, 1976. He played basketball at Viewmont High School and was named Mr. Basketball in 1994. Jensen played basketball for the University of Utah’s Utes men's basketball team.
The 1997-1998 Utes season was their best in program history, with the Utes went 30–4 and competed in the 1998 National Championship, losing to Kentucky. Jensen averaged 6.8 points and 5.2 rebounds and was named to the All-West Regional team for the NCAA tournament.
He made the All-Western Athletic Conference team in the Pacific Division and the WAC All-Defensive team after averaging 12.1 points and 7.6 rebounds per game. He was also the 1999 WAC men's basketball tournament MVP as he led the Utes back to the NCAA tournament.
As a senior, Jensen was the first Mountain West Conference Player of the Year. Jensen averaged 13.1 points and 7.5 rebounds per game that season and scored 1,279 points and collected 896 rebounds for his college career.
After graduating college, Jensen had a 7 year international playing career across the Basketbol Süper Ligi, Continental Basketball Association, and TBL leagues.
Saint Louis (2007-2011)
Jensen started his coaching career as an assistant coach for the Saint Louis Billikens under his former Utah coach, Rick Majerus. In 2010, the team reached the CBI Finals, but lost 0-2 to the VCU Rams men's basketball team.
Notably on those rosters was Willie Reed, who played in the NBA for 4 seasons.
Canton Charge (2011-2013)
Jensen became the head coach of the Canton Charge, the Cleveland Cavalier’s D-League team, which is now known as the Cleveland Charge in the NBA’s G-League.
In Jensen’s first season, the team finished with a 27-23 record, qualifying for the playoffs. They defeated the Springfield Armor (now known as the Gold Rapids Gold) in 3 games in the first round, but were eliminated in the Semifinals by the Austin Toros (now known as the Austin Spurs) in 3 games.
The following season, the team finished 1st place with a record of 30-20, qualifying for the playoffs again. They were eliminated in the first round by the Tulsa 66ers (now known as the Oklahoma City Blue) in 3 games.
Jensen finished with an overall coaching record of 57-43, the 4th most wins in team history.
Utah Jazz (2013-2023)
Coach Jensen became an assistant coach for the Utah Jazz under Tyrone Corbin. After Corbin was fired in 2014, Quin Snyder was hired and Jensen was retained as an assistant.
In 2017, the Jazz had their best regular season since, with a record of 51-31, later reaching the conference semifinals, but were eliminated by the Golden State Warriors in 4 games. The Jazz would reach the playoffs for the rest of Snyder’s tenure, resulting in 2 more semifinals appearances and 3 first round eliminations.
Over his 10 year Jazz tenure, Jensen notably worked with big men and forwards:
Rudy Gobert: 4x Defensive Player of the Year, 7× NBA All-Defensive First Team, and 3x All-Star.
Derrick Favors
Richard Jefferson
Ekpe Udoh
Hassan Whiteside
Udoka Azubuike
Walker Kessler.
Germany Men's National Basketball Team (2015)
Coach Jensen was an assistant coach under Chris Fleming on Germany’s national men’s basketball team. Germany’s record was:
Spain: Lost 76-77
Italy: Lost 82-89
Turkey: Lost 75-80
Serbia: Lost 66-68
Iceland: Won 71-65
He notably worked with Dirk Nowtizki and Dennis Schroder.
United States (2022)
Jensen served as the head coach of the 2022 USA AmeriCup Team, which competed at the 2022 FIBA AmeriCup from September 2-11 in Recife, Brazil. He helped the team capture a 4-2 record and bronze medal. Via Team USA
Dallas Mavericks (2023-present)
Coach Jensen joined Jason Kidd’s coaching staff with the Dallas Mavericks in 2023. In his first season with the team, the Mavericks made a deep playoff run, making it to the NBA finals for the first time since 2011, but were eliminated the Boston Celtics in 5 games.
Jensen notably coached Derek Lively, Daniel Gafford, PJ Washington.
Utah Utes (2025-present)
Jensen was reported to become the next head coach of the Utah Utes on March 6, 2025, returning to the program he once played for. The team is currently 16–14 and led by former assistant and current interim Josh Eilert, who replaced Craig Smith on February 24, 2025 after his firing.
The hiring of Jensen was announced by the team on the same day. Coach Jensen informed
that he will finish the rest of the season in Dallas before relocating to Utah and begin his first season as the Utes head coach.