Utah Jazz’s Will Hardy Faces Long Odds for Coach of the Year
Will Hardy’s chances of winning Coach of the Year aren’t looking very promising this season. Heading into the 2025-26 NBA campaign, expectations for the Utah Jazz are low, with the team entering a period of rebuilding. 
The Jazz have a young roster and have traded away several veteran players over the summer, which leaves them facing an uphill battle in the competitive Western Conference. This lack of optimism about the team’s prospects also impacts Hardy’s chances of earning Coach of the Year honors. With the likelihood of a tough season ahead and a potential struggle to win games, it will be difficult for Hardy to gain significant recognition, unless an almost perfect scenario unfolds.
As for Hardy’s odds, sportsbooks paint a grim picture. DraftKings Sportsbook released odds for the 2025-26 Coach of the Year race, with Orlando Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley and Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka leading the pack at +550. Hardy, on the other hand, is way down the list, tied for the longest odds at +10000, sharing the bottom spot with Jordan Ott of the Phoenix Suns and Brian Keefe of the Washington Wizards.
This isn’t a reflection of Hardy’s coaching ability but rather the challenging reality the Jazz face this season. Utah has already signed Hardy to an extension through 2031, signaling the team’s long-term commitment to him as the head coach. He’s not in danger of losing his job, but the odds reflect how far the Jazz are from building a competitive, high-end roster.
The 2025-26 season will see the Jazz focus on player development, with the team still in the midst of its rebuild. While the goal is to be more competitive than last year, the reality is that the Jazz may still struggle to win games. There’s always the possibility of an upset, but at this point, it seems like the upcoming season could mirror the struggles of the previous one in terms of their standing in the league.
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