The University of Utah's men's basketball team is beefing up its coaching roster, with head coach Alex Jensen bringing in a new tactician from across the pond. In a move announced on Friday, Martin Schiller has been appointed as an assistant coach for the Utes, rounding out the coaching staff with a well-traveled and experienced strategist.
Jensen is stacking his staff with international flair and some serious basketball savvy. Schiller, the former head coach for Germany's Rasta Vechta, brings with him a rich background of coaching duties from various corners of the globe. "I'm excited to have Martin join our staff here in Salt Lake City," Jensen said, as per Utah Utes. "Martin has a great basketball mind having coached at various levels of the game both in the US and internationally. Our players will benefit from his experience and his ability to teach and develop them."
The decision to snag Schiller for the Utes family seems to have been a no-brainer. With a globetrotting coaching résumé that covers stints in four different countries, Schiller is expected to bring a unique perspective to the team. Revealing his enthusiasm for the new gig, Schiller commented, "I'm very excited to join Alex and the entire Utes family!" as obtained by Utah Utes. He shared that he has a history of collaboration with Jensen, including learning from him during his time in the Jazz organization. Notably, his affection for Utah Athletics is personal; Schiller and his family have been vocal supporters and are thrilled at the chance to become an integral part of it.
In what appears to be a reunion, Schiller and Jensen's past interactions, including during their time with the German National Team in 2015, have paved the way for this professional collaboration. Schiller's move to Utah also signifies an interesting shift from leading a team in the German Bundesliga and FIBA Champions League to stepping into a nurturing role for the Utes, where having an international background could prove to be a significant asset. "Working with and for Alex is something that I have been intrigue with since meeting him with the German National Team in 2015," Schiller said, as reported by Utah Utes.
