Utah Basketball: 5 candidates to replace Larry Krystkowiak as head coach

Tommy Connor

We’ve already referenced how the program flourished under Rick Majerus a few decades ago. Majerus did fantastic things for this Utah program and there might always be pressure on future coaches to live up to that. The college basketball world has certainly changed since then, but perhaps a familiar face to the Utes program could turn things around.

Connor has plenty of experience with the Utes program, including a stint as an assistant on Majerus’s staff. Connor has spent the last ten years with Krystkowiak on this Utah staff, including seven years as associate head coach. His most impressive coaching feat stems from a 12-year stint building a successful basketball program at Westminster College, an NAIA school, giving him plenty of head coaching experience.

Would Utah be willing to promote from within to fill their opening? If they’re looking for someone familiar with the program, then Connor is the home run hire that checks all those boxes. He’s certainly a much cheaper option than Krystkowiak and someone who could keep this program together in these coming years. If Utah is inclined to hire someone without D1 head coaching experience, then Connor would be a pretty great option.