In a pair of recent stories, veteran NBA reporter Marc Stein linked Jazz head coach Quin Snyder to head coaching jobs in San Antonio and Los Angeles, writing that he has repeatedly heard Snyder’s name mentioned as a possible successor for Spurs coach Gregg Popovich and as a potential replacement for Lakers coach Frank Vogel.
Asked on Wednesday about those reports, Snyder told Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune that he feels as if he’s disrespecting the Spurs, the Lakers, and their respective coaches by even discussing the rumors.
“To be honest, having to address this type of question in any form, in my view, is disrespectful to the teams that are mentioned themselves,” Snyder said. “I think specifically, these types of discussions are also disrespectful to coaches. And I love the guys that I coach. I love these players. And frankly, my focus is on our guys and our team. And as I said, addressing hypotheticals in these types of questions in any form I feel like is disrespectful. And that’s how I would characterize that.”
In his most recent story, Stein said it’s unclear when exactly Snyder’s deal with the Jazz expires. While the belief is that Snyder is under contract at least through 2022/23, Stein indicated that Utah’s efforts to extend him beyond his current agreement have been unsuccessful. Speaking to Larsen, Snyder declined to offer any clarity on his contract.
“I’ve never talked about my contract from day one, and I’m not going to,” he said. “That’s not something that I’m going to comment on now, nor at any point in the future. That’s not something that the Jazz have done. I personally don’t want to or believe in getting into public contract discussions.”
While Snyder didn’t outright dismiss the rumors about his eventual exit, he did heap plenty of praise on the Jazz for how the organization has treated him since he arrived in 2014, suggesting that he’s happy in his current position.
“I think the fact that I’ve been here eight years speaks in and of itself. And I’ve been lucky to have been a part of an organization that has been supportive of coaches, generally and of me in particular,” Snyder told The Salt Lake Tribune, adding that he has felt “embraced and supported” by the community. “And I’m grateful for [new Jazz owner Ryan Smith]. He’s doing some terrific things with the franchise and has a vision for how it can continue to grow.”
This guy been a top5 coach in the league for at least the past 5yrs. I still remember loving his teams at Mizzou with Clarence Gilbert & Kareem Rush. Only way I could really see Spida Mitchell leaving Utah anytime soon is if Snyder leaves after this season
They are just rumors. Neither situation mentions Snyder wanting out. It’s always that these teams would love to have him.
However, the Lakers situation is toxic and very undesirable compared to the Jazz. Coaching stability isn’t something they’ve been known for.
The Spurs situation would be similar to what Corbin endured when taking over for a legend. People would always be comparing the two. Spurs fans would expect a certain similar approach that’s comfortable. Otherwise, they could turn on him. That’s not desirable either. I would think the second coach after the first Pop replacement would get the fairer shake. Just like Snyder as Sloan’s second replacement.
Winning championships is what the Lakers are known for. If they want him bad enough it’s gonna be extremely hard for him to say no
Stan Van Grundy. Jason Kidd. Coaches who have been traded. And because he’s a class act doesn’t insinuate that he wouldn’t want to coach either of those teams. In fact, he’d be perfect for the Spurs and I know the fans would embrace him – win or lose.
Whoever replaces Pop would still be working under Pop. RC Buford made this clear when he moved on from his GM position, now occupied by Brian Wright. When asked the question about Pop’s retirement, he only said that even if he retired, things would still be ran through him, with most decisions still being influenced by Pop. So if people decide to compare Pop’s successor, well it’s technically still Pop to blame. Lol
My personal opinion is that Spurs will promote someone within the organization. But it is fair to note that Quin Snyder is familiar with the Spurs organization, due to his time here in Austin when he coached their G League affiliate team.
Love his response. In no way shape or form do I think it’s Vogel’s fault the team has struggled but if the Lakers make Vogel fall on the sword for Pelinka’s incompetence I wouldn’t mind having this man take his place.
Pitch perfect response, a master class in how to address these types of rumors.
I’ll have to incorporate this is all my answers to questions I don’t want answer.
You do wonder if there is some romantic connection keeping him in Utah…love makes people crazy.
Could be a player or someone else in the org. Anyone know?
he has said that he would only leave Utah if the opportunity to coach the Milwaukee Bucks arose
Maybe Snyder is not that great. Utah should have beaten those hobbled Clippers in the r8 series last year. Maybe Suns too.
There were things to do that did not get done.
Snyder gets good teams to work with.
There is thinking about that they have peaked tho.
Translation: He’s gone
Pop is probably always going to have a say in Spurs’ organization and periphery, but that’s a good thing. Brings players & coaches who want to be pros in the right way.
Snyder is going to come out ok, either with Utah or not, this is standard dance to inflate contract offers. If he wants to leave to a more southern climate, he’ll probably take less than what Utah will offer.
Lakers’ gig will be given to someone with name recognition but limited coaching experience. Because if they win, it dumps all the troubles on Vogel (unfair, but he definitely choked too many games past 2 seasons… disagree and you definitely didn’t watch). If Lakers choke again with an inexperienced coach, that inexperience will become the ‘fall guy’.
Pop is probably the only guy with pedigree who could take on Lakers and not care what anyone thinks. No other active coaches have that panache, save perhaps Monte Williams & Miami’s Spo…and they would be crazy to go anyplace.
So Lakers will get someone unexpected, like Ginobili, Worthy, Brent Barry or someone who carries respect from career on the court. Because Fizdale and other staff have been too linked to implosion, tickets sales would dry up unless they did the change now and Lakers show signs of life before playoffs this year.
Lakers might want Snyder, but the more likely outcome is Snyder’s deal gets a bigger number on 3 yr deal to stay in Utah, and Pop replaces Adam Silver long enough to clean up some large problems in front offices, because Pop really doesn’t have anything to prove.
But I wouldn’t be fully stunned if Pop went to Lakers one season for fun. Doubtful, but wouldn’t be shocked.