University of Utah Men’s Basketball: Coach Jim Boylen

Boylen was named the 14th men¹s head basketball coach at the University of Utah on March 27, 2007. Although this is his first head coaching position, Boylen brings 20 years of coaching experience in the collegiate and professional ranks with him to Utah.


Boylen also comes to Utah with experience coaching with some of the best in the game. He has been an assistant to Jud Heathcoate, Tom Izzo and Rudy Tomjanovich, just to name a few. After working in the NBA for 13 years, Boylen served as the top assistant to Izzo at Michigan State during the 2005-06 and 2006-07 seasons. He helped direct the Spartans to a 45-24 record and a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances.

Michigan State advanced to the second round of the NCAA¹s in 2007 and ranked in the top 10 in the NCAA in three defensive categories: 7th in scoring defense (57.2 ppg), 7th in field goal percentage defense (38.4) and 9th in rebound margin (+7.0 rpg). The Spartans, who had eight underclassmen and no seniors on the roster, went 8-8 in the Big Ten Conference during Boylen¹s final year at Michigan State.

Boylen also began his coaching career at Michigan State, working under former head coach Heathcote from 1987-92. After serving as a graduate assistant for two seasons he was promoted to a full-time assistant in 1989, filling that role for three years. The Spartans won the Big Ten Conference title and advanced to the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament in 1990. Michigan State also advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament in 1991 and 1992.

Following his first stint at Michigan State, Boylen made his jump to the NBA. He joined the Houston Rockets as a video coordinator in 1992 and was promoted to assistant coach just two years later. With Boylen on staff, the Rockets won back-to-back NBA Championships in 1994 and 1995 and advanced to the NBA Western Conference Finals in 1997.

During Boylen¹s 11-year stint in Houston, the Rockets made seven playoff appearances and had nine winning seasons. While coaching with the Rockets, Boylen worked with four of the NBA¹s 50 Greatest Players in Charles Barkley, Clyde Drexler, Hakeem Olajuwon and Scottie Pippen.

While in Houston, Boylen also worked under Tomjanovich — one of the greatest coaches in NBA history. Boylen¹s duties included skill development, game and practice preparation, working with the perimeter players, as well as positioning and shooting. He was also in charge of team and opponent analysis.

In 2003-04, Boylen worked as an assistant coach at Golden State. He spent the 2004-05 season with the Milwaukee Bucks.

A native of East Grand Rapids, Mich., Boylen received his bachelor¹s degree in business from Maine in 1987. He captained the Black Bears¹ basketball team as a junior and senior and earned first-team all-North Atlantic Conference honors in his final year, averaging 21 points per game. He finished second in the conference Player of the Year voting to Northeastern¹s Reggie Lewis.

Boylen and his wife, Christine, have two daughters, Ashlen Clare and Layla Blue.

Utah is going to face nationally ranked Gonzaga Dec 31, where 4,000 light sticks will be given away. Conferenc eseason starts Jan 3 when the Ute’s play Wyoming and SEC powerhouse LSU comes to the Huntsman on Jan 6. The home schedule this season is the best in school history. Check out special Ticket Packages to fit your lifestyle and needs.

The 4 Pack 4 Redzone tickets inlcude 4 sodas, 4 hotdogs and 1 Pakring pass for $50. All U can Eat Special inlcudes 1 Redzone ticket, 1 hot dog, all U can drink soda, all U can eat popcorn for $15 (available for Colorado State, SDSA, Air Force and TCU. Pck your Starting Five Package – pick any 5 remaining games of your choice, $30 in teh Redzone and $85 in the lower bowl.


www.utahutes.com or by calling 581-UTIX or in person at the Rice-Eccles ticket office.

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