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Senate honors Utah Jazz coaches Jerry Sloan and Phil Johnson with resolution and personal tributes
Summary
The Utah Senate adopted a concurrent resolution honoring longtime Jazz coach Jerry Sloan and assistant coach Phil Johnson on their retirement. Members praised the coaches' decades of service and presented them with citations; both coaches addressed the chamber and received standing thanks.
Under suspension of the rules, the Utah Senate on March 7 read and passed House Concurrent Resolution 17, a resolution honoring Utah Jazz head coach Jerry Sloan and assistant coach Phil Johnson on their retirement.
The resolution—read on the floor—recited Coach Sloan’s record, including collegiate championships, an extended playing and coaching career, and his tenure with the Utah Jazz. Senators described Sloan’s coaching style as "tough-minded, down-to-earth and plain spoken," recalled the Jazz’ consecutive finals appearances in 1997 and 1998 and highlighted Sloan’s 1,000-plus wins with a single franchise and his Hall of Fame induction.
Several senators offered personal tribute: Senator Jones noted the entertainment value and civic pride the Jazz brought the state; Senator Christiansen and others thanked the coaches for their long service and leadership. The chamber also acknowledged members of the Jazz organization and the Miller family for keeping the team in Utah.
Coach Sloan and Coach Johnson were invited to the podium. Sloan thanked the state and the Miller family, remarked on the loyalty of Utah fans and said he would remain in the state. Johnson echoed appreciation, recalled roots in Idaho and Utah State and thanked the Miller family and community for their long-term support.
The Senate passed the resolution by voice/recorded vote (25–0 with absences recorded in the sequence) and then resolved into a Committee of the Whole to hear brief remarks from the coaches. Senators presented citations and ceremonial bookmarks to the coaches and their family members.
Key quotes: "I'll stay here. I'll stay here hopefully half the time." — Jerry Sloan "We had a great philosophy about that. I’m going to miss a great deal obviously and miss all the fans and people here in Salt Lake." — Jerry Sloan
Next steps: The resolution was signed by the President in open session and will be returned to the House for the Speaker’s signature under the enrollment process.
