After 23 consecutive years coaching the Utah Jazz, 68-year old Jerry Sloan suddenly resigned after several run in’s with star player Deron Williams as reported by Yahoo! Sports. Sloan had just signed a one-year contract extension on Monday to return in 2012. Assistant Phil Johnson, who was also in his 23rd season with the Jazz, also resigned.
Effective immediately, assistant coach Tyrone Corbin will take over head coaching duties.
Greg Popovich now serves as the longest tenured coach in the NBA, with 15 years of coaching the San Antonio Spurs under his belt which has yielded 4 NBA championships. Cardinals skipper Tony LaRussa, now takes over as longest tenured coach with a pro team in the U.S. as he prepares for his 16th season in St. Louis.
“Two sources close to the situation told ESPN.com’s Marc Stein that Sloan reacted angrily during Wednesday night’s home loss when guard Deron Williams called a play on the floor that was different from the one Sloan called from the sideline.
That led to an emotional dispute at halftime, sources said, which was followed by Sloan’s closed-door meeting with O’Connor after the game.”
Jerry Sloan, you will be missed!
