Earlier this month, Larry Drew and the Cavs decided to go separate ways, leaving the team in search of a new head coach. There have been several names tossed about as candidates for the job in recent days, including Utah Jazz assistant Alex Jensen.
According to a report from Joe Vardon of The Athletic, the Cavs reached out to the Jazz in an attempt to set up a meeting. Permission was granted, and the two sides are set to touch base next week.
Jensen would be a fine coach for the Cavs, if he were to land the job. As a former player himself, he knows the ins and outs of everyday life in the NBA. He played his collegiate ball at the University of Utah, where he earned Mountain West Conference Player of the Year honors (2000).
Jensen, now 42 years of age, has found success on the coaching level as well. In 2011, the Canton Charge offered him their first head coaching gig. And in 2013, he became the D-League Coach of the Year. Shortly after that, he was added to Utah’s coaching staff as an assistant.
The Cavs are said to have other interviews lined up, but general manager Koby Altman wants to make sure he finds the right person for the job:
In a recent meeting with the media, Altman described what sort of coach he is looking for, as well as what sort of timeline to expect:
Via Ben Axelrod of WKYC in Cleveland:
“We want to make sure we get this right,” Altman said. “We also want to make sure we get to know these candidates really really well, flush this thing out and I hate to keep using this word, but make sure it’s the right fit.
“Make sure it’s the right fit for our front office, for our players, for our fanbase. We want availability, grinding — all that kind of stuff. We want to make sure that’s the right fit and for that person, that we’re the right fit for them too.”
Exactly who the Cavs will have as their next head coach remains to be seen, but it’s clear that they are exploring all of the options at their disposal.