NBA: Utah Jazz bring back Jerry Sloan

The Utah Jazz have brought back their iconic former head coach Jerry Sloan, installing him as their senior basketball adviser, the team announced Wednesday (Thursday, PHL time) via press release.

“The basketball knowledge and experience that Jerry brings is invaluable, and his insights will help in our pursuit of becoming a championship-caliber team,” said team president Randy Rigby in the statement. “We are pleased to formally welcome Jerry back into the organization as an adviser.”

Sloan will assist the squad's basketball operations and coaching staff "through player evaluations at workouts, camps and summer league; limited pro and regional college scouting; occasional practice observation; and as host of an annual prep and college coaches clinic," the release added.

The 71-year-old Sloan was an assistant coach with the team from 1985 to 1988, before becoming head coach in December 1988. Under his leadership, Utah made it to the playoffs 19 times, reaching the Finals twice. He abruptly resigned early in 2011, after having just signed a contract extension, with assistant Tyrone Corbin taking over.

The Jazz this season just missed the playoffs, finishing ninth in the Western Conference. - Reuters