Utah Jazz Hire Austin Ainge As President Of Basketball Operations
Jun 2, 2025, 9:59 AM
Austin Ainge, a former BYU player, coaches the Maine Red Claws as they play the Utah Flash in a basketball game at the McKay Events Center in Orem on Monday, January 25, 2010. (Photo courtesy of Kristin Murphy, Deseret News)
(Photo courtesy of Kristin Murphy, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY – In a full-circle moment, the Utah Jazz named Austin Ainge their new President of Basketball Operations on Monday.
Austin, son of current Jazz CEO of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge, also comes into Utah’s front office after a long stint with the Boston Celtics.
Today we named Austin Ainge as the team’s president of basketball operations.https://t.co/94J9ZKvgWs
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) June 2, 2025
Austin Ainge Returns To Utah As Jazz President Of Basketball Ops
Ainge played college basketball at BYU from 2002 to 2007. He was a two-time captain and helped lead the Cougars to two Mountain West titles, three NCAA Tournament appearances, and one NIT appearance.
After going undrafted in the 2007 NBA Draft, Ainge spent one season as an assistant for the Southern Utah Thunderbirds.
In 2009, he joined the Celtics organization as the head coach of their Development League team, the Maine Red Claws. After two years, he moved from the sidelines to the office with a new Director of Player Personnel title. He went on to spend 17 years as a member of the Celtics brass, also eventually becoming Assistant General Manager.
“We are thrilled for Austin as he embarks on his new journey with the Jazz. He’s clearly ready for this next step, and I know how much he’s looking forward to leading a team. He’s obviously very bright and has experienced success as a player, coach and executive at various levels… https://t.co/RAsE4FwuyC
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) June 2, 2025
In a press release from the Utah Jazz, Governor Ryan Smith and Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens spoke on the next chapter for Austin Ainge.
“We are thrilled for Austin as he embarks on his new journey with the Jazz,” Stevens said. “He’s clearly ready for this next step, and I know how much he’s looking forward to leading a team. He’s obviously very bright and has experienced success as a player, coach and executive at various levels of the game. On top of that, he leaves no stone unturned – he’s a strategic thinker that’s motivated and is an extremely hard worker. We will miss him in Boston, but could not be happier for Austin and his family.“
Ainge played an integral role in the success of the Celtics in recent history. He was there as Boston made six Eastern Conference Finals appearances in eight years, two NBA Finals, and won the championship in 2024.
Smith spoke on how his relationship with Ainge, his connection to the state of Utah, and his NBA experience will help him thrive in the new front office role.
“Austin is experienced, forward-thinking, and laser-focused on building a championship-caliber program,” Smith said. “He has been instrumental in every aspect of building championship-level teams – from scouting the best players to constructing a winning roster. In this new role leading the Jazz front office, Austin’s ability to identify great talent, scout, and partner with Danny, Justin, and Will and the rest of the team will be key. Hiring Austin couldn’t be coming at a better time as we build up as an organization towards our ultimate goal of championship level basketball.”
Smith spoke on the timing of the hire — a detail that shouldn’t go unnoticed. Ainge brings a wealth of knowledge in drafting and team-building. With the Jazz holding their first top-five pick in over a decade, he’ll play a key role in helping Utah navigate the ups and downs of the rebuilding process.
