Utah Assistant Tommy Connor Gives Appreciation For Time With Runnin’ Utes
Apr 9, 2021, 10:48 AM
Utah Utes assistant coach Tommy Connor. (Photo courtesy of Utah Athletics)
(Photo courtesy of Utah Athletics)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Utah basketball assistant coach Tommy Connor posted on social media giving his appreciation for his time with the Runnin’ Utes.
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The statement that Tommy Connor gave basically announced that he will not be retained on the new Utah basketball staff under Craig Smith.
Connor released the following statement on Friday morning.
“I am thankful to Larry K for providing me with the opportunity to join his staff and return to my alma mater. Ten years of incredible experiences, lifelong relationships, travelled the world, many highs and lows and a lot of blood, sweat and tears,” Connor wrote. “For twenty-two years, Utah basketball has been an integral part of the lives of all the members of my family. I am forever grateful and forever a Ute!”
— Tommy Connor (@coachtconnor) April 9, 2021
Connor played for the Runnin’ Utes from 1986-88, 1990 under Rick Majerus. He later returned to his alma mater as a graduate assistant and later promoted to assistant coach under Majerus from 1994-97. In 1999, Connor became the head coach of Westminster College, where he led the program to a 264-114 (.698) record. When Connor became the head coach of Westminster, he started the program from scratch after it was reinstated prior to the 1999-00 season.
In 2011, Connor left the Griffins and became an assistant coach for Utah under Larry Krystkowiak as one of his first hires. During the 2014 offseason, Connor was promoted to associate head coach. His son Jake played for the Utes and Westminster during his college career.
Craig Smith took over as the head coach of the program after Larry Krystkowiak held that position for 10 seasons. Smith has filled two of his three assistant coaching positions. He brought DeMarlo Slocum back to the program after two seasons at UNLV and brought lead assistant Eric Peterson down to Salt Lake City from Utah State.
Trevor Allen is a Utah Utes Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Crimson Corner podcast. Follow him on Twitter: @TrevorASports. You can download and listen to the podcast, here.
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