SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — The Utah Jazz have signed head coach Will Hardy to a multi-year contract extension that will keep him with the franchise through the 2030-31 season.

Ryan Smith, whose Smith Entertainment Group owns the team, announced the extension Monday. calling Hardy “an incredible leader” and praising his communication skills and influence on the team’s young core.

The announcement was effusive in its praise for Hardy, painting a picture of steady leadership as the team sets its sights on its goal. Despite the team’s record, Smith stated he had confidence that the best is yet to come with Hardy leading the team.

“Will is an incredible leader, great communicator – especially with our younger players – and a strong ambassador for this franchise,” Smith said in a statement. “… There is no one we would rather have leading us to our ultimate goal of winning an NBA championship here in Utah.”

Hardy, 36, will enter his fourth season with the Jazz this year. He was hired in 2022 as the ninth head coach in franchise history and the first under SEG.

Prior to joining the Jazz, Hardy served as the lead assistant with the Boston Celtics during their 2021-22 run to the NBA Finals. He also spent 11 seasons with the San Antonio Spurs in various coaching roles, contributing to the team’s 2014 NBA title.

Hardy was also among the coaching staff for the Gold Medal-winning USA basketball team during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

“I love Utah and the Jazz organization and am extremely grateful for the opportunity to continue to help guide our team,” Hardy said in a statement. “I believe in what we are building. We have a talented group of coaches and people all working to build a Championship program for this incredible fan base.”

The Utah Jazz have compiled an 85-161 record over the past three seasons under head coach Will Hardy. The 2024–25 campaign ended with a 17-65 record, marking the lowest win total in franchise history. The season also set a new benchmark for futility leaguewide, surpassing the Charlotte Bobcats’ 7-59 record from the lockout-shortened 2011–12 season for the worst winning percentage in NBA history.

The 2025-26 NBA season is set to begin in October, with an official start date still to be announced. Pre-season play begins Oct. 2.

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