Alex Jensen Presser

[ProudUte]

Thanked family, and his mentor Rick Majerus and all the people who supported him when he played at Utah.

He respects the current team and coach.

Appreciates the vision of Pres Randall and Mark Harlan.

Wishes he had more time to visit with each player.

Excited to get a hard playing team and want to come here.

It feels right(mow) to come back to Utah. He has been diligent in making this decision.

Harlan said that hiring Alex had nothing to do with Xs and Os. He said Alex had such thoughtful questions. College basketball has changed a lot since Alex played here.

Alex remembers playing here and the rich tradition. He wants to carry on the tradition.

He remembers the commitment Rick Majerus had to Utah basketball and he wants to be that way.

He would not change his coaching journey. He agreed to coach at St. Louis because he was still afraid to say “no” to the man.

He thinks that his NBA experiences will help him with his position at Utah.

College basketball is ever-changing. The money situation is fascinating to him. He is excited for the challenge.

He will be finishing the season in Dallas because it’s the right thing to do.

He is taking his time and hiring decisions, so he will do it right. He admitted to talking to a lot of former teammates.

The Big 12 is a tough conference. He wants the player to not be afraid to play free and not have to look over their shoulder.

Making the decision to come to Utah was a roller coaster. He went back and forth. It was easier to make decisions when he was single.

Harlan said he wants to filled the arena and season ticket sales are already improving.

Alex said that he cannot be Coach Majerus.

He wants his players to know that he cares for them.

He said he learned from Majerus to watch film and get into the details. Coaching with Majerus was different than playing for him. He knew Rick cared for you as a person. Everyone knew that RM was totally committed to his job as the coach.

The nice thing about being an assistant is that you can sit back and watch the head coach and learn.

Players can see through a coach that is not committed. He was asked about recruiting. He said I guess I will have to get a Facebook account. He said relationships are important.

He will do his due diligence to get a coaching staff in place ASAP, but he is still working for Dallas.

he Utes will be a team that the fans are proud of and where players will want to come and play.

[D T]

Just watched it live….Here’s to hoping the boosters keep up their end, because AJ will do the rest….GO UTES!!

[TruckStopTerrors]

Good summary, thank you.

[Jim Vanderhoof]

Thanks for the summary proud Ute. I have a good feeling about Jensen. The stars are aligning at just the right time. Go Alex!! Go Utes!!

[pics]

I watched it live on You Tube and it didn’t look like there were a lot of people in attendance. I would like to have seen several thousand people show up but that probably isn’t realistic given the state of the program. Did any of you go to the Huntsman? I am really hoping that Alex gets good fan support and builds a strong staff.

[utefansince79]

Maybe 1000 there. 6PM tough time to get there on a work night for some. (Fortunately I have very easy going managers who will let me shift my hours an hour or two for events and appointments).

[The Miami Ute]

That’s what I say…maybe a 1000…as you alluded to, I think the fact that it took place on a workday and started just after most people would be getting off work kind of limited attendance. I noticed A LOT of people of retiree age in the crowd. I was in the second row and there were plenty of spots available for seating. I’m glad though that the AD gave out commemaritory Tshirts.

[mesovanhorny]

I wish I could get my hands on a “welcome home” Al Jensen shirt. Looks like they gave them to everyone in attendance.

[The Miami Ute]

I don’t know if everyone got one…there was just one table manned by students with, I don’t know, maybe 40-50 shirts of every size laid out on it. But you’re right, if Alex turns into the second coming of Majerus, those T-shirts might become collectors’ items. One thing that does kind of scare me given Alex’s vast NBA experience and credentials, is anyone nervous about some NBA team poaching Alex if he has prolonged success with the Utes?

[FountainofUte]

I’m waaaaaay up the road from worrying about that yet.

Let’s just get to the NCAA tournament.

[Author]

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