Will Hardy set to become the NBA’s youngest head coach

Salt Lake City, Utah - Will Hardy is set to become a first-time NBA head coach for the Utah Jazz – and the youngest one at that.

Utah Jazz Home Arena, Vivint Arena.
Utah Jazz Home Arena, Vivint Arena.  © Alex Goodlett / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

Following the surprise exit of coach Quin Snyder after eight seasons, the Utah Jazz has finally found their new leader.

The Jazz and Hardy have agreed on a five-year deal making the former Boston Celtics assistant coach Utah's new head coach, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

Hardy, who spent one season with the Celtics under Ime Udoka and helped them advance to the NBA Finals, will be the youngest active head coach in the NBA.

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The 34-year-old was one of four finalists who met with Jazz ownership in Salt Lake this week, including Celtics assistant coach Joe Mazzulla, Raptors assistant coach Adrian Griffin, and Jazz assistant coach Alex Jensen.

Led by new CEO Danny Ainge, the Jazz reportedly conducted an extensive search that included at least 15 candidates to replace Snyder.

After taking over a rebuild team, Snyder departed with the second-best winning record of any Jazz coach after boasting a 372-264 regular-season record.

Celtics players on Hardy's leave

Jayson Tatum (l) Grant Williams (r).
Jayson Tatum (l) Grant Williams (r).  © ELSA / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

Soon after news broke that the Jazz were finalizing a deal with Hardy, two key Celtics players took to Twitter to share their supportive thoughts.

Most notably was three-time NBA All-Star Jayson Tatum, who said he "couldn’t be happier for my guy! Extremely deserving."

Next to join in on the celebration was forward Grant Williams: "Man Congratulations My Guy!! Hate to lose ya man and our daily Wordles but no one more deserving and can’t wait to see you lead!!"

Hardy began his career as a video coordinator for the San Antonio Spurs before being promoted to assistant coach under Gregg Popovich. He also served as the head coach of the Spurs Summer League team for four years.

Cover photo: Alex Goodlett / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

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