Bill Simmons Raises Doubts About Utah Jazz Coach Will Hardy

Prominent media personality questions whether Hardy is truly a good NBA head coach.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 10:10pm

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Bill Simmons of The Ringer podcast has raised doubts about the coaching abilities of Utah Jazz head coach Will Hardy, who is in his fourth season with the team. Despite Hardy's reputation as an up-and-coming offensive mind, the Jazz have struggled with losing records in each of his first three years, leading Simmons to question whether Hardy is actually a good head coach.

Why it matters

Hardy's future with the Jazz is uncertain as the team continues to rebuild, and Simmons' criticism adds to the growing scrutiny around Hardy's ability to lead the team to success. As the Jazz look to return to the playoffs, Hardy's performance next season will be crucial in determining whether he is the right coach to guide the franchise's long-term direction.

The details

During a recent episode of The Bill Simmons Podcast, Simmons discussed the Jazz's blowout loss to the New York Knicks, questioning Hardy's coaching decisions. Simmons noted that the Jazz were leading the Knicks in the third quarter, only to see the team 'try to lose' and end up losing by 17 points. Simmons suggested that if Ime Udoka had left the Boston Celtics, Hardy would have been the top candidate to replace him, but now questions whether Hardy is truly a good coach.

  • Hardy is in his fourth season as the Jazz's head coach, having taken over the role in 2022.
  • The Jazz are headed towards their third consecutive season with 50 or more losses under Hardy's leadership.

The players

Will Hardy

The current head coach of the Utah Jazz, who has a 105-207 record across his first three seasons with the team.

Bill Simmons

A prominent media personality and the host of The Bill Simmons Podcast, who has raised doubts about Hardy's coaching abilities.

Ime Udoka

The former head coach of the Boston Celtics, who was considered a top candidate to replace if he had left the team.

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What they’re saying

“I was watching Will Hardy last night. They're playing the Knicks. Utah is beating the Knicks in the third quarter. And it's like, they're trying to lose. So, 'oh, this will be fun,' Simmons said. 'And they end up losing by 17. I think the Knicks flipped the game, I think by like 27, 28 points. And they're cutting to Will Hardy, and it's kind of just like... I don't even know if Will Hardy is a good coach.'”

— Bill Simmons, Podcast Host

What’s next

The Jazz's performance next season, Hardy's fifth as head coach, will be crucial in determining whether he is the right coach to lead the team's long-term rebuild.

The takeaway

Bill Simmons' criticism of Will Hardy's coaching abilities adds to the growing doubts surrounding Hardy's future with the Jazz, as the team continues to struggle with losing records under his leadership. However, with a potentially improved roster next season, Hardy will have the opportunity to prove himself and cement his status as a high-end NBA coach.