I never said Alex was done? I said he was 98% done meaning he was very very close to being Utah’s next Bball Coach. Harlan some Boosters and some former players had Alex almost convinced to take the job. So much so contract details were being ironed out.
In the end Alex’s heart is in the NBA but give Harlan credit he went after the big fish and almost pulled off a miracle hire.
Jonnie Bryant(my choice)felt a little disrespected he wasn’t Harlan’s #2 choice and removed his name from consideration.
In the end Harlan always wanted a Coach with college basketball experience.
Smith is a good hire not sexy but safe.
Questions remain though.
He’s had the same Asst Coaches with him for 7 years. Will he bring them with or build a completely new staff?
Nothing in his history shows he’s a dynamic recruiter.
Does he view Utah only as a pay raise and a stepping stone to a Big 10 job? Only time will tell
If he wins and leaves then he will have left Utah in a better place then he found it.
Jensen and Bryant were high risk high reward options but Harlan went safe and secure.
Smith will be some stability to the program.
But can he recruit.
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