Larry Krystkowiak agrees to new five year contract as Utah basketball coach

As expected, the buzz from national jobs started circulating, and the Utah Utes weren't about to wait around and let anyone try and take Larry Krystkowiak away.  Utah athletic director Chris Hill is ready to sign Krystkowiak to a new five year deal.

More from Tony Jones and the Salt Lake Tribune:

The deal isn’t yet official, Hill said, because there are minor details to be worked out on both sides. But the two men have been working on a deal throughout the season, and terms were agreed upon a few weeks ago, Hill said.

"We’ve changed some things around from his original contract," Hill told The Tribune, when reached by phone. "So essentially, it’s a new deal. Larry and I have been on the same page for a long time. He’s done a wonderful job. He’s great for the university and he’s great for the community."

After a terrible opening season due to circumstances pretty much outside his control, Krystkowiak began a quick rebuild process. Utah went 6-25 in 2011-12, 15-18 in 2012-13, and now 21-12 in 2013-14.  Krystkowiak was able to find Jordan Loveridge, Dakarai Tucker and Brandon Taylor two class ago. He was also able to go through the transfer/JUCO circuit and land Delon Wright, Princenton Onwas and Dallin Bachynski. For Krystkowiak to be that resourceful in two years and convince excellent talent that Utah wasn’t a long-term rebuilding project speaks volumes to his ability to recruit and coach.

Utah is now poised to be a threat every year to compete for the Pac-12, and Krystkowiak is prepared to be their general.