Quin Snyder: From Duke to the NBA and Beyond
Quin Price Snyder, born on October 30, 1966, is a prominent figure in American professional basketball. His journey spans from being a McDonald's All-American in high school to his current role as the head coach of the Atlanta Hawks in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Snyder's career is marked by success at various levels, including college basketball, the NBA G League, and international coaching experiences.
Early Life and Playing Career
Snyder's basketball journey began in Mercer Island, Washington, where he excelled at Mercer Island High School. A two-time state basketball player of the year, Snyder led his team to the 1985 state championship, during which Mercer Island achieved a No. 1 ranking in USA Today's high school polls. His outstanding high school performance earned him the honor of being named a McDonald's All American.
From 1985 to 1989, Snyder played college basketball for the Duke Blue Devils as a point guard. During his time at Duke University, Snyder's team reached the Final Four in 1986, 1988, and 1989. He became a starting player in his second year, in 1987 and started almost every game for the rest of his college career. In his final year, he was chosen as a team captain. He graduated from Duke in 1989 with a double major in philosophy and political science. Snyder furthered his education, earning a J.D. degree from Duke Law School and an M.B.A. in 1995.
Early Coaching Career at Duke University
Snyder's coaching career started at his alma mater, Duke University. From 1993 to 1995, Snyder served as an administrative assistant to men's basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski while completing his MBA and JD at Duke. After completing both degrees in 1995, Snyder became a full-time assistant coach under Krzyzewski. In 1997, Duke promoted Snyder to associate head coach. During Snyder's time as a Duke assistant coach, Duke made the 1994 and 1999 NCAA tournament championship rounds and the Elite Eight round in 1998.
Head Coaching Role at the University of Missouri
In 1999, Snyder accepted the head coaching position for the University of Missouri Tigers men's basketball team, succeeding longtime coach Norm Stewart. His first team knocked off a ranked Illinois team and then defeated Kansas in Snyder's first game against Mizzou's archrival. Snyder's second season was punctuated by similar success. He once again toppled a ranked Kansas team and led the Tigers to their first NCAA victory since 1995. In 2002, his team reached the Elite Eight. Snyder was very popular when he first arrived at Missouri. The Duke team, which later won the national championship, ended the Tigers' season that year.
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However, Snyder's tenure at Missouri was not without challenges. In May 2004, Snyder was named in 17 allegations as a part of an NCAA investigation over recruiting violations, centering on improper gifts to guard Ricky Clemons. The program was placed on a three-year probation that November after the NCAA infractions committee ruled that an assistant bought meals, provided transportation and illegally contacted recruits. Snyder resigned as coach on February 10, 2006, following a 26-point loss to Baylor that extended a losing streak to six and dropped the Tigers to a 10-11 record overall, 3-7 in the Big 12.
Transition to the NBA D-League
After leaving Missouri, Snyder considered leaving coaching altogether. Snyder transitioned to the professional ranks, becoming the head coach of the Austin Toros (now Austin Spurs) in the NBA Development League (D-League, now G League). In the first season, Snyder's team won the Southwest Division championship and reached the D-League Finals. In his second season, Snyder led the Toros to a 32-win season; coached in the 2009 NBA D-League All-Star Game in Phoenix; received the Dennis Johnson Coach of the Year award; and reached the D-League Semi-Finals. In his final season with the team, the Toros compiled another 32-win season - this time with more rookies than any other team in the D-League - and again reached the Semi-Finals.
NBA Assistant Coaching Roles
Snyder's success in the D-League led to opportunities in the NBA as an assistant coach. On June 11, 2010, Snyder became a player development coach for the Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA. He worked under coach Doug Collins. Snyder helped train new players before the 2010 NBA draft. This included future 76ers player Evan Turner. On July 1, 2011, NBA team Los Angeles Lakers hired Snyder as an assistant under coach Mike Brown. In a season shortened by a lockout, the Lakers finished the 2011-12 season in first place in the Pacific Division with a 41-25 record. On July 8, 2012, Snyder became the head assistant coach for CSKA Moscow. This is a strong European team in the Russian Professional Basketball League. He worked under coach Ettore Messina. CSKA reached the Euroleague Final Four that season.
Head Coach of the Utah Jazz
On June 6, 2014, Snyder was hired as the head coach for the Utah Jazz. He signed a three-year deal with an option for a fourth season. Snyder had worked with Jazz general manager Dennis Lindsey before. On May 6, 2016, the Jazz announced a longer contract for Snyder. In June 2018, Snyder was a finalist for the NBA Coach of the Year award. On February 18, 2021, Snyder was named the Western Conference head coach for the 2021 NBA All-Star Game.
Snyder served as head coach of the Utah Jazz from the 2014-15 to 2021-22 seasons, accumulating a 372-264 record (.585) and leading the Jazz to the playoffs in six of his eight seasons. Utah started the 2020-21 season with a 23-5 record, earning Snyder the honor of being named the head coach of the 2021 Western Conference All-Star Team, and finished the regular season with the best record in the NBA (52-20; .722) and the fifth-highest single-season winning percentage in Jazz history. Snyder finished sixth in NBA Coach of the Year voting in 2017, second in 2018, eighth in 2019 and third in 2021. Over his eight seasons with Utah, the Jazz allowed the fewest points per game (102.0) in the NBA, the fifth-lowest field goal percentage (.449) and 10th lowest three-point percentage (.355) in addition to ranking 5th in rebounding (44.9). The Jazz reached the playoffs in six consecutive seasons, advancing to the Western Conference Semifinals on three occasions (2017, 2018 and 2021). On June 5, 2022, Snyder stepped down as head coach of the Jazz.
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Head Coach of the Atlanta Hawks
On February 26, 2023, the Atlanta Hawks hired Snyder as their new head coach.
“From our first conversation, it was clear that Quin had all the characteristics we were looking for in our next head coach. He has both an incredible basketball and emotional IQ, and we share the same core values and basketball philosophies of having honest communication and collaboration with players, tremendous attention to detail and placing a great emphasis on player development,” said Landry Fields, the General Manager of the Atlanta Hawks.
"I am thrilled to go back to Atlanta as the next head coach of the Hawks. Landry has a tremendous reputation as an incredibly bright, high character, high quality individual and it was quickly evident that we share a passion and commitment to building a winning team with a strong foundation and high standards." said Quin Snyder.
Coaching Statistics
Quin Snyder was 512-428 in the regular-season and playoffs in his coaching career.
| COACH | RECW% | GP | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Quin Snyder | 512-428 | .545 | 940 | 241.2 | 109.3 | 44.6 | 23.6 | 7.7 | 5.0 | 39.8 | |
| FGMFGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | OREB | DREB | TPG | |
| 85.746.5 | 12.1 | 33.2 | 36.5 | 17.6 | 23.0 | 76.5 | 57.1 | 10.6 | 34.0 | 14.5 | ||
| MIN | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | |||||
| 226,725 | 102,786 | 41,948 | 22,157 | 7,201 | 4,702 | 13,615 | 18,325 |
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