Alex Jensen introduced himself to the Runnin' Utes over Zoom.
Utah’s new basketball coach spoke to Craig Smith’s former staff, now led by interim head coach Josh Eilert.
He also spoke to Utah’s players.
“I talked to him first thing yesterday morning, and I had a great talk with him,” Eilert said on Friday. “We had a great conversation and he’s leaning on me to lead the program.”
Head coaches aren’t usually fired until the end of a season. So it’s somewhat rare for a replacement, like Jensen, to be in place while his team is still playing.
“He knows that right now is a sensitive situation, being named head coach when the regular season isn’t even complete,” Eilert said. “He just wants the best for everybody in the program as we finish the season. He doesn’t have any intention to interfere with what we have going on right now and I think that’s the perfect way to handle it.”
The Runnin' Utes, meanwhile, are handling the end of their disappointing season the only way they can.
“I think mentally, we’re trying to stay focused and learning how to move on to the next because you can’t get time back,” junior forward Ezra Ausar said. “Try to, you know, build from it, stay encouraged, and keep encouraging each other off the court and on the court.”
Utah ended the 2024-25 regular season with an 85-74 loss to in-state rival BYU on Saturday night in Provo. The Utes have now lost four of their five games since Smith was fired.
But Eilert said he’s been impressed with his team’s fight and focus.
Utah battled until the end on Saturday, cutting the Cougars' 19-point lead and down to an 11-point margin at the final buzzer. It also held BYU’s offense scoreless in the final 3:18 of the contest.
(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) Brigham Young Cougars guard Trevin Knell (21) goes for a lay up as Utah Utes guard Hunter Erickson (0) defends during the game between the Brigham Young Cougars and the Utah Utes in Provo on Saturday, March 8, 2025.
“They know what they’re playing for,” Eilert said. “They’re playing for each other, and I keep on preaching that. There are a lot of seniors in the locker room and the coaching change really has no effect on them, so they’ve been good about it and leaning on each other. Yeah, there’s a lot of distractions going on the last couple weeks, but they’ve handled it really well. They’ve handled it professionally.”
So, what’s left for Utah to play for?
The Runnin' Utes would have to pull off a miracle run in the Big 12 Championship in Kansas City to make the NCAA Tournament.
No. 14-seeded UCF is up next for Utah in the conference tournament. The Utes lost to the Knights in Orlando less than two weeks ago.
“It’s pretty fresh in our mind,” Eilert said. “They got us on the last-second shot there. ... I think our guys will be amped and ready to go. I think we had a pretty good game plan last time. So, I’m looking forward to the matchup in Kansas City.”
A win would put them on a crash course with Kansas, which they beat earlier this season. A loss would eliminate the Runnin’ Utes completely.
“I just think moving on from things [will help us] continue to motivate each other,” Ausar said. “We still got a chance to win conference tournament. I think that’s the main focus right now.
“Put time behind us.”
Maybe the Runnin' Utes can pull off a magical last-minute March Madness berth.
But they know change is coming sooner or later.
