According to a report from Theo Lawson of the Spokane Spokesman-Review, longtime Gonzaga assistant Jorge Sanz is set to join UNC head coach Michael Malone’s staff in Chapel Hill.
Sanz has been part of head coach Mark Few’s Gonzaga staff since 2018, and he currently serves both as an assistant coach and the program’s Director of Basketball Operations, a position he has occupied since 2019. The program says he “has been a central figure in integrating advanced analytics into the team’s strategy and training methods,” while also noting his expertise has made him “widely respected.” Lawson added Sanz was critical to Gonzaga’s success in international recruiting.
Sanz’s tenure in Spokane has seen Gonzaga reach the NCAA Tournament each season, win six West Coast Conference Tournament titles and earn a national runner-up finish in 2021, a season which saw the Bulldogs finish 31-1. During that time, Gonzaga has recruited and developed several future NBA stars, including Chet Holmgren, Jalen Suggs and Rui Hachimura.
Originally from Zaragoza, Spain, Sanz has also spent time coaching in his home country in recent years. As an assistant coach and defensive coordinator, Sanz led the Spanish U17 team to a silver medal at the 2022 FIBA World Cup. A year later, he helped the U18 team also win silver at the 2023 European Championships.
“Sanz has been instrumental in keeping the program’s international allure,” Gonzaga wrote. “His international experience brings a global perspective to the Gonzaga program, blending European fundamentals with cutting-edge player development philosophies.”
Sanz will be yet another new addition to Malone’s staff, one which already includes former Arkansas assistant Chuck Martin and former Providence assistant Bryan Tibaldi.
Featured image via Chapel Hill Media Group/Todd Melet
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