Former Runnin’ Utes Coach Larry Krystkowiak Releases Statement Thanking Utah
Mar 24, 2021, 3:32 PM
Utah Utes head coach Larry Krystkowiak cheers his team on in the second half against the USC Trojans during the first round of the Pac 12 Tournament at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on March 13, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Utah defeated USC 69-66. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Former Utah men’s basketball head coach Larry Krystkowiak released a statement following his tenure with the Runnin’ Utes.
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Krystkowiak and the University of Utah parted ways on March 16.
Eight days later, the former Utah head coach released a statement expressing gratitude for his time with the Utes.
“Thank you to the State of Utah, the City of Salt Lake and the University community for a wonderful decade up here on The Hill,” Krystkowiak shared via his Twitter account. “I am very fortunate to have met and worked with so many amazing poeple during my time here. I’m grateful to have forged many lifelong relationships and forever thankful for each and every one of them.”
— Larry Krystkowiak (@LKrystkowiak) March 24, 2021
“To our players, thank you for believing in us and setting a culture of excellence on and off the court — which I couldn’t be more proud of. It was an absolute privilege and an honor to be your coach,” Krystkowiak continued. “To our staff, thank you for your commitment to this program, the university, and for your unwavering love and support for our student-athletes. Last but not least. I would like to thank Dr. Hill for believing in me and our mission. Utah will always hold a special place in our hearts, and we will be cheering for the Runnin’ Utes.”
Utah Basketball Relieves Larry Krystkowiak Of Head Coaching Duties https://t.co/NAe3QfXTOR
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 17, 2021
Larry Krystkowiak at Utah
Krystkowiak first took over the Utah men’s basketball program in 2011. It was Utah’s first season in the Pac-12 Conference.
In his first season at the helm, Utah went 6-25 overall and 3-15 in conference play. They improved the next season by nine wins in 2012-13. Then they won 21 games in 2013-14, while reaching the NIT.
Led by Delon Wright and Jakob Poeltl, Utah had one of their best seasons in Krystkowiak’s tenure when they posted a 26-9 record and reached the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament before falling to Duke.
I have had just under 48 hours to breakdown in my mind what happened with the Utah basketball coaching change.
I will just say this, Larry Krystkowiak is a great human being who was always good to me whenever we interacted. I wish him nothing but the best in the next chapter.
— Trevor Allen (@TrevorASports) March 18, 2021
The following season with Poeltl and Kyle Kuzma, Utah reached the second round of the Big Dance before losing to Gonzaga. The Runnin’ Utes reached the NIT the next two seasons, including an appearance in the championship game but lost to Penn State. Since that runner-up season, Utah has not played in the postseason.
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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