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Utah Jazz coach Quin Snyder still had two seasons remaining on his original contract. But he has done so much good on and off the court in his first two years, and has shown so much promise that Jazz ownership wanted to make to keep him for the foreseeable future.
That's why Snyder's contract was extended, as the Jazz announced on Friday morning. Financial terms on his new deal weren't disclosed, but Snyder's contract now runs through 2021, The Tribune has learned.
"Quin's done everything we've asked, relative to the defense and development of the roster," Utah general manager Dennis Lindsey said when reached by The Tribune. "While we are still very young, we like the discipline of the group. We have to tighten up some things on the court, but that will come with experience going forward. Quin's been very true to all the initiatives, and the Miller family wanted to reward him with an unbelievably generous gesture."
For Snyder, the contract extension means he's finally found a long-term coaching home, after years of hopping around, domestically and internationally. For the Jazz, the move signals stability within an organization that's been relatively unstable since Jerry Sloan's abrupt retirement in 2011.
The Jazz have yet to make the playoffs under Snyder's watch, winning 38 games in his first season and staying in the postseason race until the last night of this year's regular season.
But the progress on the court has been tangible. In addition to Utah's improving win totals, player development has proven first-rate, as the likes of Rudy Gobert, Rodney Hood and Trey Lyles have shown significant improvement.
Maybe most important, though, is that the Jazz have developed a defensive identity. Utah's become one of the best defenses in the NBA, allowing the second-fewest points in the league over Snyder's two seasons.
His defenses have held opponents to 90 points or less a league-high 57 times. And the Jazz have done this despite significant injuries to the core of their roster. It adds up to a team appearing to be on the rise in the Western Conference.
"Quin is a terrific fit with the Jazz, and the Jazz are a terrific fit for Quin," Snyder's agent Warren LeGarie told The Tribune on Friday. "It's the right kind of match on both sides, and we couldn't be happier with how things have turned out."
The timing of Snyder's extension also coincides with an important offseason, where the Jazz are expected to hit the free agent market with aggression. With possibly as much as $25 million to spend under the salary cap, Lindsey hopes Snyder's extension sends a message that the Jazz have found their coach and that he will be on the bench for the long haul.
Lindsey said the next steps are continuing to shore up the product on the court. He wants to see the Jazz take better care of the ball next season, and not turn it over as much. He wants to see more efficient shooting, and limit mistakes that lead to opposing transition baskets.
But there's no doubt Lindsey, new team president Steve Starks and ownership are happy with the job Snyder's done in his first two years.
"Our current players know who is going to be around," Lindsey said. "Certainly we could've told our story without this. But we thought this was the right thing to do. We are anticipating the stabilization of health. We were able to accomplish a few things. Certainly this wasn't a wasted season. Now with this done, we can get back to examining our roster and figuring out how best to complement it."
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About Quin Snyder
• Will enter his third season as Utah's head coach in 2016-2017; has a 78-86 record with Utah.
• The eighth head coach in franchise history, and the fifth since the Jazz moved to Utah in 1979.
• Snyder on the contract extension: "I am very grateful for this gesture by the Miller family and the Utah Jazz and appreciative of their belief in me to continue to lead this team. Amy and I are fortunate to be a part of a franchise and family that cares deeply for our community, stays true to its values and is committed to winning. More than anything, it is confirmation of our collective commitment to building a championship team."