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What Kyle Whittingham said about new Runnin' Utes coach Alex Jensen

Utah’s elder statesman is excited about the school’s new hire.

(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Former Ute player Alex Jensen, right, alongside Athletic Director Mark Harlan, answers questions as he is formally introduced as new head coach of the Utah men’s basketball team at the Huntsman Center on Monday, March 17, 2025.

(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Former Ute player Alex Jensen, right, alongside Athletic Director Mark Harlan, answers questions as he is formally introduced as new head coach of the Utah men’s basketball team at the Huntsman Center on Monday, March 17, 2025.

  | March 25, 2025, 1:45 p.m.

Kyle Whittingham has been Utah’s head coach for 21 seasons.

In that span, he’s seen the Runnin' Utes basketball program run through six head coaches. The latest hire made? First-year head coach Alex Jensen, who had his introductory press conference last week.

Somewhere in the process of deciding to join the Runnin' Utes, Whittingham made a phone call to Jensen.

“Alex and I had a conversation,” Whittingham said. “I’m excited about Alex being here. I’ve got all the respect in the world for him, what he did as a player, what he’s done as a coach, and I’m excited to see what he does with that program.”

Jensen is set to finish out the season with the Dallas Mavericks.

In the meantime, he’ll be working to put together his coaching staff and recruit players in the transfer portal, which opened up on Monday.

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