The Utah Jazz and coach Will Hardy agreed to a multi-year extension through 2031, the team announced Monday morning.
“We are excited to extend Will Hardy’s contract as head coach of the Utah Jazz through 2031. Will is an incredible leader, great communicator — especially with our younger players — and a strong ambassador for this franchise,” Jazz governor Ryan Smith said via a statement. “He has been a tremendous partner to Danny, Justin, and me. There is no one we would rather have leading us to our ultimate goal of winning an NBA championship here in Utah.”
We have extended head coach Will Hardy 💜🏔️
“I’m humbled and honored. This is an incredible franchise. To be able to be committed to the next phase of our process is hard to explain.”#TakeNote
MORE: https://t.co/3Eh6KOWQ8P pic.twitter.com/tnYXMD0Ts6— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) May 5, 2025
Hardy, 37, has been with the Jazz for three seasons and became the franchise’s ninth coach in 2022. He joined Utah after a one-season stint with the Boston Celtics and was part of the team as it made its championship run during the 2021-22 season. Prior to that, Hardy spent 11 seasons with the San Antonio Spurs and then-coach Gregg Popovich, helping to guide the organization to two NBA Finals appearances and San Antonio’s fifth title in 2014.
Before serving on the championship organization staff, Hardy spent time with the league’s young talent. He coached the Spurs’ NBA Summer League teams from 2015 to 2018 — 2015 and 2016 in Salt Lake City and 2017 and 2018 in Las Vegas. Hardy added an Olympics appearance to his resume in 2020 as the Richmond, Virginia, native served as a coach at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.
The Jazz, who finished with the worst record in the league this season (17-65), enter a rebuilding stage, trying to develop their young core. The organization turns to next month’s draft with the hopes of landing a top prospect to continue fulfilling their roster.
(Photo: Patrick Smith / Getty Images)