Jazz exercise option on coach Will Hardy's contract

Field Level Media|published: 09/27/2024, 2:22pm EDT

Mar 31, 2024; Sacramento, California, USA; Utah Jazz head coach Will Hardy during the first quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

The Utah Jazz exercised the option on head coach Will Hardy's contract Friday, locking him up through the 2025-26 season.

Hardy, 36, enters his third season with the Jazz with a 68-96 record. He is the second-youngest coach in the league behind Joe Mazzulla of the Boston Celtics.

"Will has done a great job of guiding our program and instilling the right values and competitive habits with our young group," Utah general manager Justin Zanik said. "The organization looks forward to developing with Will as we strive for long-term success through strategic and deliberate growth."

Before arriving in Utah as the first coach hired by owners Ryan and Ashley Smith, Hardy was an assistant coach for the Celtics (2021-22) and the San Antonio Spurs (2016-21).

Terms of Hardy's contract were not disclosed.

The Jazz tip off the 2024-25 NBA regular season at home against the Memphis Grizzlies on Oct. 23.

--Field Level Media